Mom's Pasta Fagiole with Spinach and Chicken Meatballs

by Sharyn N
( Chicago, IL)

I grew up watching my Sicilian Grandmother cook. I took all that I learned from her and through the years added my own touch by adding the spinach and chicken meatballs. It's a very hearty soup and great served with crusty bread and a salad.

INGREDIENTS

Chicken Meatballs

  • 1 lb of ground chicken
  • 1 cup of seasoned Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 C onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced fine
  • 1/2 tsp of granulated garlic
  • 4 Tbl Olive oil
  • 1 tsp of fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup of grated imported Romano cheese.
  • Pinch of salt

    PREPARATION

  • Saute the chopped onion and the 2 minced garlic cloves in 2 Tbl of olive oil until translucent. Let cool.
  • In a large bowl combine the ground chicken, bread crumbs, egg, granulated garlic, the sauteed onion and garlic and the Romano cheese.
    When mixed well, form into 1 inch balls.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat brown the meatballs evenly in a few tablespoons of olive oil.
  • As they brown remove them with a slotted spoon and put them into a baking dish.
  • Bake them at 375 for 12 to 15 minutes. Do not overcook.

    Add to your favorite sauce.

    INGREDIENTS

    Soup

  • 2 Tbls of Olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic chopped
  • 2 quarts of chicken broth
  • 4 cans of Great Northern beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 4 Cups of frozen spinach
  • 1 lb of small pasta (can be shells or those little tubes)

    PREPARATION

  • Heat the olive oil in your soup pot over medium heat and saute the onion and minced garlic just until slightly golden (overcooking will make the garlic bitter.)
  • Then add the chicken broth and two cans of the beans.
  • Mash the other two cans of beans either with a fork or potato masher and stir into the soup (this will thicken the soup).
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and add the meatballs and spinach.
  • Prepare the pasta until al dente and drain well.
  • Do not put the pasta in the soup. Ladle the soup over the pasta into individual serving bowls.

    Top with a little extra Romano cheese.

  • Comments for Mom's Pasta Fagiole with Spinach and Chicken Meatballs

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    Jan 12, 2011
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    Yum
    by: Kay B

    It sounds great! I can't wait to try it!

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