MINESTRONE MIX-UP

Minestrone Mix-Up image

On a cold day, there's nothing better than this soup with crusty homemade bread. I am a seamstress with three children. My husband and I enjoy fishing, camping, hunting...and eating!-Katherine Lewis, Carlsbad, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 1h55m

Yield 8-10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 17

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Ingredients

1 pound fresh spinach, washed, trimmed and finely chopped
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 to 2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 can (16 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups chopped celery
1 cup sliced carrots
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
8 cups water
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
Tomato juice, optional

Steps:

In a bowl, combine the spinach, bread crumbs, egg, salt and pepper; add beef and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. , Heat oil in Dutch oven or large soup kettle; brown meatballs on all sides. Remove and keep warm. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Stir in the tomatoes, celery, carrots, beans, spices and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. , Stir in macaroni and meatballs; cook 15 minutes longer or until the meatballs are cooked and the macaroni is tender. If soup is too thick, thin with tomato juice if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 141 calories, Fat 3g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 21mg cholesterol, Sodium 422mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 7g protein.