Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 45 minutes minutes
Servings 8
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (lean)
- 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the soup:
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 24- ounce container pasta sauce
- 1 32- ounce container chicken stock
- 4 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 16- ounce package spaghetti
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
For serving:
- Fresh basil (thinly sliced)
- Ricotta cheese (optional)
- Grated parmesan cheese (use you favorite)
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Panko breadcrumbs, dried basil, minced garlic, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.
Roll the meatball mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 1 inch) and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove from oven and set aside.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Stir in the pasta sauce, chicken stock, water and spices. Bring to a boil then add spaghetti. Cook until spaghetti is tender then add the meatballs to the soup.
Garnish with fresh basil and a dollop of ricotta before serving.
Calories: 448kcal Carbohydrates: 60g Protein: 24g Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 63mg Sodium: 830mg Potassium: 747mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 7g Vitamin A: 423IU Vitamin C: 8mg Calcium: 75mg Iron: 4mg