February 26, 2012

Minestrone & Baked Meatballs




8 Servings

Minestrone
1   Large Yellow Onion, chopped
3   Large Carrots, thinly chopped
28 oz   Diced Tomatoes, do not drain
1   Large Zucchini, quartered lengthwise and chopped
15 oz   Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz   Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
48 oz   Beef Broth
3 cups   Water
1 tbsp   Dried Oregano
2 tbsp   Dried Basil
2 tsp   Pepper
26 oz   Spaghetti Sauce
8 oz   Ditalini Pasta

Meatballs
1 lb   Ground Beef
1/4 cup   Yellow Onion, chopped
3/4 cup   Bread Crumbs
1   Egg, lightly beaten
2   Cloves Garlic, minced
1 tbsp   Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp   Fresh Parsley
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/4 cup   Parmesan Cheese, grated
1/2 - 1 tsp   Hot Sauce
1/2 cup   Milk, warm

Minestrone
1)   In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the onion until translucent. 
2)   Reduce heat to medium low. Add carrots and tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3)   Add beans and remaining ingredients and simmer 20 - 30 minutes or until vegetables have reached your desired tenderness.

Meatballs
1)   While soup is simmering, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2)   Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, milk, parsley, Parmesan, salt and pepper. 
3)   Knead the mixture until all ingredients are well combined.
4)   Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs by hand and place them in an oven proof dish.
5)   Bake the meatballs for 20 - 40 minutes depending on their size and until they are no longer pink in the center.
6)   To serve, place meatballs in soup bowl and ladle minestrone over the top. Enjoy!

TIP: Cook meatballs as directed above, cool then place leftovers in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for another meal like spaghetti. When ready to use, defrost in the microwave then brown in a skillet.  

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