INGREDIENTS:
- Meatballs
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- Soup
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 3 large carrots, cut into 1/2" dice
- 2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2" dice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup uncooked acini di pepe, orzo, or ditalini pasta
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan, for garnish
- Parmesan ribbons, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425°.
To make the meatballs, in a bowl, add pork, breadcrumbs, egg, oregano, thyme, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper and combine. Roll into 1” balls. In a large pot over medium heat, brown meatballs in batches. Remove meatballs and set aside.
To make the soup, in same large pot over medium-high heat, add oil, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook until tender, 5-6 minutes. Add broth, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil.
Add pasta, return to a boil, and cook according to package directions. Reduce heat to low, add meatballs and kale and allow kale to wilt, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide between soup bowls and top with parmesan cheese and ribbons.