Meatball Minestrone

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup dried italian breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 1/2 cups water or 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, with liquid
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• parmesan cheese (optional)
• sugar, to taste (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in mixing bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, crumbs, salt and pepper. shape into 30 1-inch balls.
• 2 in large saucepan, brown meatballs on all sides. drain excess fat.
• 3 add remaining ingredients except macaroni and parsley; cover and simmer 20 minutes.
• 4 add macaroni; simmer 10 minutes or until tender.
• 5 stir in parsley.