Saturday, October 16, 2010

Meatball Soup and Stuffed Shells

It's a two-for-one kind of day today.  

I was wondering the other day if anyone has ever been served with divorce papers for making soup too often.  But when it comes to a bowl full of warm steamy yumminess, I just can't help myself.

This recipe called for pasta rings, and I wished I'd had some. They would have been really cute in there.  But the plain old macaroni tasted just great.  

Here's the recipe that I found at An Edible Mosaic:
 

1 1/2 lb lean ground beef

1/2 TB Worcestershire sauce

1 egg

1 egg white

3/4 c bread crumbs

1/2 oz fresh grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish if desired

4 TB minced fresh parsley, divided

8 oz pasta (I used O-shaped pasta)

2 TB olive oil

4 medium-large carrots, peeled and diced

3 large stalks celery, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

5 c water

1 (28 oz) can diced tomato (with juices)

6 oz tomato paste (I forgot this)

2 bay leaves

2 tsp dried Italian herb spice mix

2 beef bouillon cubes

Salt and pepper

In a large bowl, combine the beef, Worcestershire sauce, egg, egg white, breadcrumbs, 1/2 oz Parmesan cheese, 2 TB parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together, being careful not to overmix. Form the meat mixture into small balls, about 1/2 TB each (I get about 60 balls), and set aside.

Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions, drain, and set aside.

In a 5-quart pot with a lid, heat the olive oil on medium heat; add the carrots, celery, and onion and sauté until starting to soften (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and sauté another minute. Add the water, diced tomato, tomato paste, bay leaves, dried Italian herbs, bouillon cubes, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cover the pot, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring up to a boil; turn down to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes (covered), stirring occasionally.

Add the meatballs, bring the soup back up to a simmer, then simmer for 10 minutes (with the lid slightly ajar). Turn off the heat and stir in the noodles and the remaining 2 TB parsley. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.
 
I also recently made stuffed shells from the recipe I found at The Pioneer Woman.  (just click that link if you want the recipe)



I liked these, but I think I was the only one who really did, judging by how many days I took them to work for lunch.   

14 comments:

Kim said...

Julie - Wish I could've come and helped you eat up your stuffed shells. I know I would've liked them!

Ah soup. A controversial subject when it comes to men. Why can't they appreciate it for what it is? My husband will go so far as to tell me that "when meat is in a soup, it doesn't count". OR, "soup is an appetizer, not a meal". Drives me crazy. At any rate, the meatball soup looks terrific and I would definitely appreciate a bowl of it. I am curious about the "O" shaped pasta. I've never seen it in stores before. Sounds like a fun pasta shape.

Karen said...

I make soup a lot, but according to DH, it must have meat in it, or it isn't a meal. Oy vey! I'll usually put a sausage link in there for him. Both of these dishes look great!

Anonymous said...

I'll join my buddy, Kim, in helping you eat those shells. That would make a delicious lunch. I'm sure it was better than what I brought last week (it was a boring lunch week). I'm lucky, my husband likes soup, even more than I do. Meatball soup he would love (me too!).

pam said...

Hey, I'll eat the shells too! Soup. Love it. I have beans soaking in the slow cooker right now, ready to become soup tomorrow.

Monet said...

I would have been happy with a bowl of soup and a plate of shells any day of the week! Nothing more comforting than a warm cup of soup after a long day. Thank you for all your kind words on my blog...your thoughts are so appreciated.

Faith said...

I'm glad you liked the soup! :) The shells look pretty amazing too.

Kerstin said...

Meatballs in soup make me so happy - they just make soup so much more hearty and comforting - love this version!

Leslie said...

Yeah..whats up with men not accepting soup as a meal??? I could live on it!

The JR said...

I think my hubby would luv the soup. I don't think he would like the stuffed shells. He doesn't like casseroles and it looks too much like one.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

I'm a big fan of soup for dinner and thankfully The Cajun is too. The soup looks wonderful! I think the macaroni noodles are a perfect fit too.

Lora said...

the meatball soup looks fantastic!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

You scared me....I read that line about divorce papers and my heart dropped. It took me reading it a second time to "get it". :)

It's almost soup weather here and yours is one the kids enjoy.
~ingrid

Val said...

Yum, These are drool worthy!!!

Monica H said...

Don't you hate when you make a whole casserole of something and you're forced to eat 75% of it?