Italian Meatball Soup

Junior Leagues In The Kitchen with Kids

Everyday Recipes & Activities for Healthy Living

from the Power Lunches chapter
Serves 5

Tools Needed:

Measuring Cups and Spoons - Large Mixing Bowl
Plastic Gloves - Stockpot - Kitchen Tongs

There's nothing more welcome than a hearty soup during the winter months, so put your young ones to work making this super easy and tasty recipe. They'll thank you for it!

Ingredients:
8 ounces extra-lean ground beef
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons dried bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
5-3/4 cups low-fat chicken broth
1 cup uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1/3 cup chopped carrots
2 cups spinach leaves, sliced



 

SHAPE THE MEATBALLS
Combine the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, basil and onion powder in a large mixing bowl. Mix well with your hands while wearing plastic gloves. Shape the mixture into 3/4-inch balls.

MAKE THE SOUP
Pour the chicken broth into a stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Use kitchen tongs to add the meatballs to the broth in the stockpot. Add the pasta and carrots. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.













FINISH IT UP
Add the spinach and stir to mix well. Cook for 5 minutes longer or until the pasta is tender, stirring frequently to keep it from sticking Serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese.













Try substituting ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.