Ready in minutes but with all the traditional flavor of one cooked for hours. The rich chicken soup base, veggies, and pasta all work well together.
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Soups
Method Stove Top
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 40 minutesminutes
Servings 20
Equipment
Large Stock Pot
INGREDIENTS
1Tbsp.Olive oil
½cupOnion - Diced
1cupCelery - Diced
1cupCarrot - Diced
2clovesGarlic - Minced
2tsp.Dried Basil
12cupsChicken Broth - fat free low sodium
½cupWhite Wine - any kind
1lb.Frozen Mini Meatballs - Fully Cooked
¾cupAcini de Pepe Pasta - dry - Any Mini-pasta will work.
10oz.Fresh Baby Spinach - coarsely chopped
¼cupParmesan Cheese - Grated
Juice of 1/2 Lemon - optional
Salt and Pepper - to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large stock pot, heat the oil on med/high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the onion, celery and carrots. Cook until they begin to soften, approx 5-6 minutes.
Add the garlic and allow to cook for another minute or so until it becomes fragrant. (Add Salt and Pepper now or later - your choice.)
Add the basil to the vegetables and stir. Allow to cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Add the chicken broth. Let the soup come to a boil and then turn down to simmer.
Add the wine and allow the mixture to come back up to simmer.
Thaw Meatballs in Microwave. Don't over do this.
Add the meatballs and stir. Allow the meatballs to heat through and the soup to come back up to a simmer. Turn heat up so the soup comes to a gentle boil.
Add in the acini de pepe. Cook at a gentle boil until the pasta is tender, approx. 15-20 minutes, while occasionally stirring.
When the pasta is tender, turn the soup back down to a simmer and add in the spinach and the Parmesan cheese. Stir well. Cook until spinach is wilted. (1 - 2 minutes)
Add in the lemon juice, if using. Test for salt and pepper, and add as you like. Serve immediately.
Notes
As the soup sits, the pasta will continue to absorb the broth and grow bigger and more tender.Substitute your favorite Mini-pasta as desired to make this truly your own.The recipe may be frozen.