It Ain't Food Network, But They Eat It....Tuesday!

Meatball Alphabet Soup
Makes 6 servings

This is a recipe that I found YEARS ago in a Family Fun Magazine.  I typed it out here for you but then realized I could probably find it on their website.  So I searched for Family Fun, which apparently has changed to Spoonful.com.  But I did search and find the recipe.  The amount of pasta on the website listed more than what I had on my recipe card, but Stephen did say when we were eating that it needed more.  So either I wrote it down wrong or others thought the same and they modified the recipe.  Anyway, I am making the change here too, and listing the recipe in case they should take it off the site.

For Meatballs:
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 Tbsp. onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 lb. ground beef

For the Soup:
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
5 cups chicken stock
1 cup crushed can tomatoes in puree
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
 pepper to taste
2 cups dry  ABC pasta

To make the meatballs:
Combine bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, onion, herbs and spices in large mixing bowl.  Mix in egg with fork then add ground beef.  Shape into 1 inch balls (4 dozen).  Add oil to skillet and brown meatballs for 8-10 minutes.

For soup:
Heat oil  in saucepan.  Add onion, celery and garlic.  Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add chicken stock, tomatoes and spices.  Simmer over low heat then add pasta.  Simmer until pasta is cooked.  Add meatballs and cook for 3 more minutes.  

Enjoy!
Sara