A Bowl of Soup

Yesterday morning my sister and I went to the store and picked out ingredients for a Monday soup. 

I recently found two soup recipes that I combined together. I love soup, especially in the winter; it seems cozy.

I had a friend who told me her husband liked her soup when it was "hardy", which I translated to mean "soup that has enough substance to it, that I won't be hungry in an hour".
 This soup is a "hardy" soup. I hope you enjoy it! 

Meatball Tortellini Soup

1 Large Egg

1/2 lb Lean Ground Beef

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil (grocery stores carry this in the produce department)

2 Tbsp Seasoned Bread Crumbs

Olive Oil 

1/4 cup chopped onions

1 cup matchstick carrots 

1 cup mushrooms-chopped (optional) 

2 garlic cloves diced

2-3 cups Spinach

2 cartons/cans (32 oz each) Chicken/Vegetable Stock 

2 cups Frozen Cheese Tortellini 

*I really like Buitoni Tortellini, which is not frozen

Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Combine 1 egg, ground beef, fresh basil, and bread crumbs in medium bowl.

Form into small meatballs, 1 tsp each.

2. Brown meatballs on all sides in 2 Tbsp of olive oil on MEDIUM, about five minutes. 

Remove meatballs from heat; save the drippings to put into the broth later (adds nice flavor!) 

3. In a large soup pot, sauté the onions, carrots, mushrooms and diced garlic, in 2 Tbsp of Olive Oil on MEDIUM/LOW for 8-10 min until carrots are slightly tender.

4. Add 2 cartons Chicken Stock to the soup pot.

5. Add meatballs (and drippings), spinach and tortellini. Let simmer on MEDIUM-HIGH  about 5 minutes until pasta is tender. 

6. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with grated cheese (optional) 

Enjoy!