Mamma Mia Minestrone

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons minced onions
• 1 dash salt and pepper
• 1/2 lb ground beef (or half beef half lamb)
• 15 ounces garbanzo beans, rinsed
• 14 ounces beef broth
• 14 ounces italian stewed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup ditalini or 1/4 cup bow tie pasta
• 5 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

Recipe

• 1 combine egg, bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, onion, salt pepper. add ground beef; mix well and shape into about 36 meatballs.
• 2 cook meatballs in a skillet about 8 minutes, until no longer pink; brown evenly.
• 3 drain fat, set meatballs aside.
• 4 in a large pot stir together beans, broth, undrained tomatoes, water, mushrooms, italian seasoning. bring to a boil, add pasta. return to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer, covered for 10 minutes (until pasta is tender).
• 5 stir in spinach and meatballs.