Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

This is a fun one for adults and kids alike! I adapted this recipe from a Rachael Ray cookbook, Cookin' Round the Clock. It's hearty and tasty and perfect for a cool fall evening. The best part is you can whip it together in just 30 minutes. It makes alot so plan for some yummy leftovers too.

Recipe: (serves 4-6)
Ingredients:

Meatballs
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/4 cup Egg Beater's (or one large egg)
1/3 cup Bread Crumbs
1/4 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
dash of salt and black pepper

Soup
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 small yellow potato, cubed
6 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 can (15oz) cannellini (white beans), rinsed and drained
1 can (15oz) diced tomatoes in their juices
1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
2 cups water
1 cup (small handful) spaghetti pasta; (whole wheat or semolina), broken into 2 inch pieces
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Start the meatballs: Combine the turkey, Egg Beater's, bread crumbs, Italian Seasoning, cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a bowl, break up meat with a potato masher and stir to combine, set aside.
2. For the soup: Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, carrots, onions and zucchini, saute until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, chicken broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste and water to the pot. Cover and raise to high heat.
3. Start forming your meatballs. I like to use my small ice cream type scoop but a spoon and your hands will work great too.

When the soup boils, about 3 minutes, add meatballs directly to the pot slowly one at a time, don't stir them until they begin to brown to prevent them from falling apart. Gently run a wooden spoon along the bottom of the pot to prevent sticking.

4. Once meatballs are brown, about 5 minutes, Add in your pasta, stir soup gently. Simmer to cook the pasta and meat, about 6 minutes or until meatballs internal temperature reads 165'F.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, remove from the heat. Serve hot with warm crusty bread for mopping.