Mini Meatball Soup

== Description ==
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray 
* Show: 30 Minute Meals
* Episode: 30-Minute Chocolate Blast
* Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
== Ingredients ==
* 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan in a slow stream
* 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 ribs celery, chopped
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
* salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 pound ground beef, pork and veal combined
* 1 egg, beaten
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* ½ cup grated parmigiano-reggiano or romano, a couple of handfuls
* ½ cup plain bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
* ½ teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg
* 6 cups chicken stock or broth
* 2 cups water
* 1½ cups dried pasta, rings, broken fettuccine or ditalini
* 1 pound triple washed fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
== Directions ==
# In a deep pot over medium heat add oil, chopped carrots, celery and onions and bay leaves.
# Season with salt and pepper.
# Cover pot and cook veggies 5 or 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
# While the veggies cook, combine meat, egg, garlic, grated cheese, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, nutmeg.
# Uncover your soup pot and add broth and water to the pot.
# Increase heat to high and bring soup to a boil.
# When soup boils, reduce heat a bit and start to roll meat mixture into small balls, dropping them straight into the pot.
# You are making meat dumplings that will cook in the broth.
# When you are done rolling the meat, add pasta to the soup and stir.
# Cover and simmer soup 10 minutes.
# When pasta is tender, stir in chopped spinach in batches.
# When spinach has wilted into the soup, the soup is done and ready to serve.
# Adjust your seasonings.
# Serve soup with crusty bread or Grilled 4-cheese Sandwiches.
Category:Breadcrumb Recipes
Category:Carrot Recipes
Category:Cathy's Recipes
Category:Celebrity Recipes
Category:Celery Recipes
Category:Chicken stock and broth Recipes
Category:Ditalini Recipes
Category:Egg Recipes
Category:Fettuccine Recipes