Sopa de boda italiana

Ingredientes

• canola oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces ground turkey
• 8 ounces Italian sausage (pork, chicken or turkey, removed from casings)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 large carrots (chopped into 1/4-inch pieces)
• 2 ribs celery (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup dry acini de pepe pasta (or orzo or ditalini)
• 3 ounces fresh spinach (chopped)
• fresh parsley and/or grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Preparación

1. 1

   --- Make the Meatballs ---

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 450° F. Grease a large rimmed baking sheet with canola oil.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, combine the egg, grated Parmesan, Italian breadcrumbs, minced garlic, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix with a fork until well combined.

4. 4

   Add the ground turkey and Italian sausage to the bowl. Mix with your hands until well combined.

5. 5

   Form the mixture into small meatballs that are ¾ to 1-inch wide and place them on the greased baking sheet. (You should get about 50 small meatballs.)

6. 6

   Bake meatballs in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, until cooked to 165° F.

7. 7

   --- Make the Soup ---

8. 8

   While the meatballs bake, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened, stirring occasionally.

9. 9

   Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring.

10. 10

    Stir in the broth, Italian seasoning, black pepper and cooked meatballs. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes, until carrots are almost soft.

11. 11

    Stir in the pasta, cover the pot, and simmer until the pasta is just al dente, 9-10 minutes or according to the pasta package directions.

12. 12

    Uncover the pot, stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the spinach wilts. Taste the soup and season with additional salt or pepper, if needed. Serve with fresh parsley and/or Parmesan cheese, or as desired.