Hearty Meatball Soup
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
1 egg
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper (optional)
4 cups water
1 envelope (4-serving size) onion soup mix
15-1/4 oz. can red kidney beans, drained
14-1/2 oz. can stewed tomatoes
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup instant rice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, sausage, egg, salt and the pepper, mixing completely. Shape the mixture into small-sized balls. At this point you can brown the meatballs in a skillet, if you wish.
In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the onion soup mix. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add in the meatballs, kidney beans, tomatoes and the carrots. Continue simmering for another 15 minutes.
Add in the rice, stirring to blend. Cover and remove pan from the heat. Let stand for 5 minute. Stir in the parsley.
Makes 8 servings.