Tomato-Basil Meatball Soup
Total preparation and cooking time: 40 minutes

Makes 4 servings.

Take a break from traditional spaghetti and meatballs and serve this satisfying Italian soup.  This delicious beef recipe is from the new beef cookbook,
“The Healthy Beef Cookbook”.  Visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com for more information about “The Healthy Beef Cookbook”.

Basic Beef Meatballs (You can use the following “Basic Beef Meatball” recipe or use the frozen “heat and serve” beef meatballs.)

 

            Ingredients for “Basic Beef Meatballs”:

 

            1 pound ground beef (95% lean)

            ½ cup soft bread crumbs

            2 egg whites, slightly beaten

            2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

            1 teaspoon minced garlic

            ½ teaspoon salt

            1/8 teaspoon pepper

 

Ingredients for “Tomato-Basil Meatball Soup”:

 

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons olive oil

½ cup finely chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans (14 to 14 ½ ounces each) ready-to-serve beef broth

2 cans (14 ½ ounces each) Italian-styled stewed tomatoes, undrained, coarsely chopped

1 cup uncooked rotini (spiral) pasta

¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil

4 teaspoons grated or shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

1.)    Heat oven to 400 F.  Prepare Basic Beef Meatballs, combine all ingredients for meatballs in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly, adding parsley with other ingredients. Shape into twenty-eight 1 ¼ –inch meatballs.  Place on rack in broiler pan.  Bake in 400 F oven 13 to 15 minutes to medium (160 F) doneness, until no longer pink in center and juices show no pink color.  Set aside.

2.)    Meanwhile, heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until hot.  Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender.  Add broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil.  Stir in rotini.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 8 to 12 minutes or until pasta is just tender.  Stir in meatballs and continue to cook until heated through.

3.)    Garnish each serving of soup with basil and cheese, if desired.