Best Fluffsters Very Best Meatball Soup Recipes

FLUFFSTER'S VERY BEST MEATBALL SOUP

Steps:

• Place a soup pot over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrot to the pot and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables are soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes and their juices, beef broth, tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and stir to combine. Bring to a low simmer and simmer for 15 minutes.
• While the broth simmers, make the meatballs. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, eggs, 1/3 cup Parmesan, bread crumbs, 3/4 teaspoons of the Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoons of the salt and, using clean hands, mix until thoroughly combined.
• Divide meat into tablespoons and roll into smooth balls with your hands. Set the rolled meatballs aside on a plate or other flat surface. Wash your hands.
• Carefully add the meatballs to the simmering broth. Gently stir, so as not to break up the meatballs Add the remaining 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through.
• Add the ditalini and chopped spinach to the hot soup, stir well, and cook for 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through. Stir in the chopped basil and serve the soup in wide bowls, garnished with additional grated Parmesan, if desired.

MEATBALL SOUP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-in. balls. Brown meatballs in a large saucepan; drain. Add broth, beans, tomatoes, carrot and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes., Add pasta; simmer until meat is no longer pink and pasta is tender, 10 minutes longer. If desired, top with minced fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese. Freeze Option: Divide cooled soup in 1-1/2 cup portions; freeze up to 3 months.