Picky Eaters Meatball Soup
Make your own beef meatballs for this simple pasta soup. Bacon, tomatoes, and other toppers make this main dish one that kids love.

Prep Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
6 main-dish servings
Ingredients
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1 egg, slightly beaten
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1/4 cup milk
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1 tablespoon yellow mustard
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 cup soft bread crumbs (1-1/2 slices bread)
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1 pound lean ground beef
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3 medium Roma tomatoes or 2 medium regular tomatoes
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6 slices precooked bacon
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1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
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1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
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1/2 cup croutons
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6 cups water
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2 cups tomato juice
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2 tablespoons instant beef bouillon granules
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1 cup tripolini (tiny bow-tie pasta) or other small pasta
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1-1/2 cups thinly sliced carrots
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1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
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2 tablespoons snipped parsley
Directions
1.
For meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the egg, milk, mustard, and salt. Stir in bread crumbs. Add ground meat and mix well. Shape into 48, 3/4-inch meatballs. Place in a shallow baking pan and bake in a 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain well. If you like, transfer meatballs to a bowl. Cover and chill until serving time.
2.
For soup toppers: Coarsely chop tomatoes. Heat bacon according to package directions and crumble. Place tomatoes, bacon, mushrooms, cheeses and croutons in individual bowls. Cover until serving time.
3.
For soup, in a Dutch oven or pot, combine the water, tomato juice, and bouillon granules. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Add meatballs, pasta, and carrots. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in green onions and bring to boiling. Stir in parsley.
4.
To serve, ladle immediately into soup bowls. Let guests choose their own soup toppers. Makes 6 main-dish servings.
Nutrition information
Calories 414, Total Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Cholesterol 108 mg, Sodium 1782 mg, Carbohydrate 30 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 31 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 42%, Calcium 31%, Iron 21%.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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