Tomato Meatball Soup - Olga's Flavor Factory

Ingredients

• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 2 celery stalks (finely chopped)
• 2 carrots (finely chopped)
• 1-2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 Tablespoon butter or olive oil
• salt (ground black pepper, to taste)
• 2 (14.5 oz each) cans canned diced tomatoes (pureed in the food processor)
• 8 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
• 1 cup ditalini pasta
• 1 Tablespoon fresh herbs (parsley, basil)
• Parmesan cheese (finely grated, to garnish the soup)
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup milk (enough to cover the bread)
• 1 egg (slightly beaten)
• 1 - 2 teaspoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1-2 teaspoons dry herbs (optional)