Meatball Soup

When Little Devil was really still Little, she loved spaghetti and meatballs.  Everywhere we went she would order spaghetti and meatballs.  Of course, Mr. DD and I would sing,

"On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed.
It rolled off the table and onto the floor.  And then my poor meatball rolled right out the door.
It rolled in the garden, and under a bush.  And then my poor meatball was nothing but mush."

And she would CRY!!!  She would cry and say she did not want that to happen to her meatball.  Obviously her father and I have scarred her for life, but she still loves meatballs anyway.  This soup was a big hit for her.  It's like a yummy stew, with meatballs and elbow macaroni.  Hearty and fun and definitely a reminder of your childhood.  Which may or may not be a good thing.  That depends on what your parents sang to you.

Don't Sneeze!

The Line-Up
Just a few ingredients that go in one pot.

Bring water to a boil.
Add beef bouillon.

Add tomato sauce.
Stir in seasonings.

Add meatballs, celery, carrot and garlic.
Simmer about 25 minutes.

Bring soup up to a low boil
Add pasta and cook until pasta is done.

Serve with crusty rolls,
and garnish with Mozzarella or Parmesan cheese.

Meatball Soup

2 quarts water
20 meatballs (I used frozen homestyle, choose whatever kind you like~obviously homemade would be AWESOME!)
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 teaspoons beef bouillon paste
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
2-3 carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup elbow macaroni or other small pasta

In a Dutch oven, bring water to a boil.  Stir in beef bouillon.  Add tomato sauce and seasonings.  Stir in meatballs, celery, carrot and garlic.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Bring soup back up to a low boil and add pasta.  Cook about 12 minutes or until pasta is done.  Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.  Ladle into bowls.  Garnish with Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese if desired. 

Prep Time:  Approximately 20 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 40 minutes