Italian Wedding Soup ๐Ÿฒ๐Ÿ:

Ingredients ๐Ÿฒ
โ€“ 1 pound ground beef ๐Ÿ–
โ€“ 1/2 cup breadcrumbs ๐ŸŒพ
โ€“ 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ๐Ÿง€
โ€“ 1 large egg ๐Ÿฅš
โ€“ 2 cloves garlic, minced ๐Ÿง„
โ€“ 1 teaspoon dried oregano ๐ŸŒฟ
โ€“ 1 teaspoon dried basil ๐ŸŒฟ
โ€“ 1 small onion, chopped ๐Ÿง…
โ€“ 6 cups chicken broth ๐Ÿฒ
โ€“ 1 cup diced carrots ๐Ÿฅ•
โ€“ 1 cup diced celery ๐ŸŒฟ
โ€“ 1 cup small pasta (such as orzo or acini di pepe) ๐Ÿ
โ€“ 2 cups baby spinach or chopped kale ๐Ÿฅฌ
โ€“ Salt and pepper to taste ๐Ÿง‚๐ŸŒถ๏ธ
โ€“ Optional: additional grated Parmesan cheese for serving ๐Ÿง€

Preparation ๐Ÿณ
1. Make Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil. Mix until well combined. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. ๐Ÿ–๐ŸŒพ๐Ÿง€๐Ÿฅš๐Ÿง„

2. Brown Meatballs: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs and set aside. ๐Ÿ–๐Ÿ”ฅ

3. Sautรฉ Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. ๐Ÿง…๐Ÿฅ•๐ŸŒฟ

4. Add Broth and Meatballs: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Return the browned meatballs to the pot. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. ๐Ÿฒ๐Ÿ”„

5. Add Pasta: Stir in the small pasta and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes. ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”„

6. Add Greens and Season: Add the baby spinach or chopped kale to the pot and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. ๐Ÿฅฌ๐Ÿง‚๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and, if desired, top with additional grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy warm! ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿฝ๏ธ