Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 45 min Overall Cook Time: 3-4 hours
Meatballs a la Mom Ingredients: 1 lb. meat (I use ground turkey if I'm feeling healthy or a beef/pork/veal mix if I want to stay true to my mom's recipe) 1/3 cup Italian bread crumb 1 egg 1/4 cup Locatelli grated Pecorino Romano cheese 1/4 cup milk 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp oregano 1/2 tsp basil 1/2 tsp parsley 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/2 yellow onion (finely chopped) 3/4 cup olive oil | Soup Ingredients: 6 cups chicken stock 1/2 yellow onion (finely chopped) 3-4 carrots (peeled & sliced into thin pieces) 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder 1-1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 2 cups fresh baby spinach 6 oz tiny uncooked noodles |
2. Make your meatball mix by combining meat, breadcrumb, egg, Pecorino Romano cheese, milk, garlic powder, oregano, basil, parsley, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Combine ingredients and roll into mini meatballs.
3. Pour 3/4 cup olive oil into a large frying pan and heat over medium heat. Add onions to the frying pan and spread them out in an even layer. Then add meatballs in an even layer, trying to keep them from touching. Cook meatballs 7-8 minutes per side.
4. Once lightly browned and cooked through, use a slotted spoon to transfer meatballs and onions into crockpot.
5. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
6. During the last 15 minutes of cook time, boil noodles in a separate pan according to package directions.
7. During the last 10 minutes of cook time, add spinach to crock pot and allow to wilt.
8. Serve with noodles and grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
For more detailed instructions accompanied by witty commentary, tips, and pretty pictures, see below:
5. The timing all depends on how freakin' excited you are to eat this delicious soup. 2-3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. Stir occasionally, mostly just to smell how good it is. Or just go out and come back a few hours later... doesn't really matter.
7. Add spinach, because folic acid is super good for you. Give it 10-15 minutes to wilt.
8. Serve with the cooked noodles, top with grated cheese, and ENJOY! Also - a little tip for leftovers: do NOT put the noodles in the same container as the soup. They will suck up all your broth. (If this does ever happen to you, just add some chicken broth and some extra salt and pepper.) Buon appetito!