Ingredients

The following ingredients have 6 Servings
  • ½ lb. ground beef (or turkey)
  • ½ lb. ground sausage (or turkey sausage)
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs*
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1 egg (whisked)
  • ¼ cup parsley (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • ¾ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. oil (divided)
  • 1 Tbsp. oil (olive or avocado)
  • ½ small onion (finely diced)
  • 3 carrots (medium-sized, diced)
  • 3 stalks celery (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 8-10 cups chicken broth (regular sodium)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach (roughly chopped)
  • 1 cup orzo or acini de pepe pasta
  • ½ tsp. salt (to taste)
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper (to taste)
  • ⅛ - ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)

Instruction

  • Add all of the meatball ingredients, except for the oil, to a large bowl. Mix with a spatula or by hand until everything is well combined.
  • Scoop out 2 teaspoons worth of the mixture and shape into a meatball. If your hands get sticky simply spritz then with a bit of non-stick cooking spray and continue rolling. Repeat this with the remaining mixture. You should end up with roughly 48 meatballs.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat along with half of the meatballs. Sear for 4-5 minutes, rotating every 1-2 minutes, or until they are lightly browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining oil and meatballs.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot along with any remaining drippings from the meatballs. Stir in the diced carrots, onion, and celery. Saute for 3-4 minutes and then add in the garlic. Continue cooking for 1 minute.
  • Pour in broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to ensure no bits or pieces are stuck. Bring the broth to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and meatballs. Give it a good stir, cover the pot with a lid, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 7-9 minutes, or according to the pasta package directions.
  • Once meatballs and pasta are cooked through, toss in spinach and stir until well mixed. Serve immediately and enjoy!