| 1 cup | BARILLA Pastina |
| 1/4 cup | Italian seasoned breadcrumbs |
| 1/4 cup | milk |
| 1 | egg, slightly beaten |
| 8 ounces | ground beef |
| 8 ounces | ground pork |
| to taste | salt |
| to taste | freshly ground black pepper |
| 2 tablespoons | extra virgin olive oil |
| 1/2 cup | carrots, diced |
| 1/2 cup | celery, diced |
| 1/2 cup | onion, diced |
| 1/2 cup | zucchini, diced |
| 3 quarts | chicken broth |
| 1 | bay leaf |
| 1 bag (6 ounces) | fresh spinach, coarsely chopped |
| 1/2 cup | Parmigiano cheese, grated |
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.
SOAK breadcrumbs in milk for 15 minutes. Add egg, ground beef and ground pork to breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
ROLL mixture into 1 inch balls. Place on baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
HEAT olive oil in a large stock pot. Add carrots, celery, onion, and zucchini. Cook for 1 minute.
ADD chicken broth and bay leaf to stockpot. Bring to boil.
ADD Pastina to chicken broth and simmer for 10 minutes.
ADD spinach and meatballs to broth and simmer 5 additional minutes.
SERVE in individual bowls and sprinkle with grated cheese.