Italian Meatball and Tortellini Soup

6-8 servings

2 Tbsp butter
1 onion, diced
1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
2 quarts beef stock
1 (12 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup green beans
1 cup diced carrot
1 cup chopped kale
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf (I left this out)
1 pound frozen, cooked Italian-style meatballs - thawed
1 pound fresh cheese tortellini
grated Parmesan cheese


Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook the onion and garlic in the melted butter until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the beef stock into the pot; add the tomatoes, green beans, carrot, kale, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the meatballs and tortellini; simmer 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top each with grated Parmesan cheese to serve.

Kielbasa, Kale, & Cannelini Pasta

1 package kielbasa, sliced
[Try turkey kielbasa!]
4-6 garlic cloves, minced [or use the stuff from a jar]
1 onion, chopped
1 bunch kale, cleaned and stems removed [or if using precut, as much as will fit in your pot]
1 can cannelini beans, drained
1-1.5 c. chicken broth
parmesan cheese
pasta of choice

Begin sauteeing kielbasa while starting the pasta water to boil. After a few minutes, add in the onion and garlic, cooking until translucent. Meanwhile, when the water is ready, add the kale and cook for 5 min. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the kielbasa mixture. Add in the beans and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan. Let simmer while the pasta cooks.

Reserve 1 c. of the pasta water then drain pasta. Add water to the kielbasa mix IF it needs thinning. Serve over the pasta with cheese.

[I think this could make a really good soup too if you adjusted the chicken broth and water amounts.]

The original recipe can be found HERE.

Super Bowl Dip

1 package Velveeta - (16 oz)
1 can chili - no beans
1 pound medium or spicy sausage -- browned, crumbled

You can heat this on the stove until the cheese melts and it all mixes together, or put it in the crockpot on LOW until blended and heated through --- then keep it there to serve. I serve with sturdy chips, fritos or even pita pieces. If you are trying to be healthy, serve it with celery sticks. GREAT for Super Bowl Sunday.