Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey Meatballs

My family has switched to ground turkey in place of beef in most recipes.  It really hasn't been difficult at all.  We love the flavor.  In fact we don't feel we are missing out at all.  With this delicious Italian Wedding Soup recipe the meatballs take center stage.  Turkey meat balls made in a large batch can be used with pasta and marinara sauce too.  Just freeze them and use them within a couple of weeks for the best flavor.

Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients:
1 pound ground turkey
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup dried bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion

To Prepare:

Preheat oven to 350°F

In a medium bowl (or your Kitchen Aid mixer) beat the eggs.  Then combine with the turkey, bread crumbs, cheese, basil, oregano, garlic powder and onion. Mix ingredients until well blended (use the paddle attachment for KAMixer).  Use a table spoon and shape mixture into 3/4-inch balls.  Set meatballs into a an oiled glass baking dish. (I spray mine with a Misto using olive oil.)

Bake for 30 minutes.  Then set your oven to broil and allow to brown for 5-7 minutes.  Make sure to watch your meatballs.  Broilers all act differently and you may be surprised at how fast your meatballs will brown.  When they are a bit golden remove them from the oven.  Use a spatula to remove them after they have cooled a bit.  Add them to your recipe!

Italian Wedding Soup:
Ingredients:
1 quart of chicken broth
1 1/4 cups spinach - I use frozen chopped spinach (easy!)
1/2 cup orzo pasta- pre cooked al dente
3/4 cup diced carrots - about one large carrot chopped up
Turkey meatballs
Parmesan cheese for topping

In a large pot heat the chicken broth to a light boil.  Stir in the carrots and allow to cook for about 5 minutes until soft (but NOT mushy.)  Add spinach and allow the soup to return to a boil then add pre-cooked pasta and meatballs. I cut my meatballs in half so they are better sized for the spoon but you could just make smaller meatballs to start with.  Heat to desired temperature then serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Add a loaf of restaurant style crusty bread with dipping oil and you've got yourself an excellent meal!
Enjoy!
~Jessica