Winter will still be with us for several more weeks. On those cold and, possibly, snowy days, we often crave a steamy bowl of hearty soup.
This Meatball Pasta Soup is great to make on those occasions. And, if you’re in the mood for a hot sandwich to accompany your soup, this twist to an old favorite, Hot Ham ‘N’ Cheese Sandwiches, is sure to please.
MEATBALL PASTA SOUP
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small, green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups fresh cleaned mushrooms, sliced
2 cups water
2 (14.5-ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (24-oounce) can of pasta meat sauce
1 (18-ounce) package frozen, cooked meatballs or Italian meatballs, thawed
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cups macaroni or rotini pasta
1/2 cup (or more, to taste) shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and mushrooms; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Add all remaining ingredients, except macaroni or rotini pasta and Parmesan cheese; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Add macaroni or rotini pasta, cook, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese over the pot of soup and add a sprinkle more of the Parmesan over individual servings. Makes 6 (1 1/2-cup) servings.
Note: If you prefer a thicker soup, just add one cup of water.
HOT HAM ‘N’ CHEESE SANDWICHES
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 tablespoons horseradish mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons poppy seeds (optional)
4 hamburger buns, split
12 thin slices fully cooked ham
4 slices Swiss cheese
In a small bowl, combine the butter, mustard, onion and poppy seeds. Spread over cut sides of buns.
Layer ham (3 slices per sandwich) and cheese (1 slice per sandwich) on bottom halves; replace tops.
Wrap each sandwich in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes 4 servings.
Brotherton offers website readers one or more stellar recipes a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email her at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and she’ll see if she has it.
