Ingredients
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1 lb lean ground beef (shaped in tiny meatballs)
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1 1/2 cups spicy pepperoni, chopped or 1 1/2 cups turkey pepperoni
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2 -4 tablespoons oil
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2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
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1 large onion, chopped
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3 tablespoons minced fresh garlic (or to taste)
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1 tablespoon dried chili pepper flakes (or to taste)
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1 -2 teaspoon dried basil
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1 -2 teaspoon dried oregano
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3 tablespoons tomato paste
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1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
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1 (10 ounce) can condensed tomato soup, undiluted
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3 -5 cups chicken broth (use less amount of broth for a thicker soup)
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1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
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seasoning salt (or use white salt to taste)
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black pepper (lots!)
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1 tablespoon sugar (optional or to taste)
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cooked spaghetti (broken into small pieces or use other pasta)
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grated parmesan cheese
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1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
Instructions
- Shape the ground beef into tiny meatballs using you favorite recipe.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; brown the meatballs with pepperoni until browned (the meatballs do not have to cook completely) remove to a bowl.
- Add in sliced mushrooms, onion, garlic, green bell pepper, chili flakes, basil and oregano; sauté for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the tomato paste and cook, stirring for 1 minute.
- Add in the undiluted soup, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth and chopped spinach, then add in the meatballs and pepperoni back to the pot; bring to a boil, season with seasoned salt, lots black pepper and sugar (if using).
- Reduce heat and simmer covered for about 2 hours or less (uncover and simmer the last 30 minutes of cooking, the soup will thicken more if simmer uncovered for a longer time!).
- Add in the cooked spaghetti.
- Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese, serve with garlic bread or crostini on the side.
- DELICIOUS!