perfect comfort food...

this is the perfect meal for  nights like these when its been a long week and its so cold that all you want to do is go home snuggle up in front of a warm fire and eat something comforting.  

  meatball tortellini soup


ingredients

8 ounces ground beef chuck
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 clove garlic, grated
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
1 9 -ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini
4 cups loosely packed baby spinach (about 3 ounces)

directions

combine the beef, parmesan, 2 tablespoons parsley, the egg, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a medium bowl; mix with your hands until just combined. form into 1-inch meatballs; set aside.

heat the olive oil in a pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. add the meatballs and cook, turning, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes; remove to a plate. add the carrots and celery to the pot; cook, stirring, until just softened, about 5 minutes. add the broth and 3 cups water; bring to a boil. return the meatballs to the pot along with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley and 1/2 teaspoon salt. simmer until the meatballs are just cooked through, about 2 minutes.

add the tortellini and cook until they float to the top, about 4 minutes. add the spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, 1 minute. season with salt and pepper. top with more parmesan.

stay warm and toasty on this cold evening,,,,
love and hugs, xoxo