Mexican Meatball and Salsa Soup

By

  • 1

Ingredients

  • 2 (6-inch) corn tortillas cut into 20 1/4-inch strips
  • 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain rice divided
  • 1 pound ultra-lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced carrot
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 2/3 cup salsa
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 (10 1/2-ounce) cans low-salt chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400º .

Combine tortilla strips and oil; toss well to coat. Arrange in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan; bake at 400º for 10 minutes or until crisp and brown, stirring once. Set aside.

Combine 1/4 cup rice, ground beef, and next 5 ingredients (beef through pepper) in a bowl; shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) meatballs. Place on a broiler pan; bake at 400º for 10 minutes.

Place a large Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot; sauté 4 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add salsa, water, and broth; bring to a boil. Add 1/4 cup rice and meatballs; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender and meatballs are done. Stir in corn; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated.

Spoon into bowls; sprinkle with cheese and tortilla strips.

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups soup, 2 tablespoons cheese, and 5 tortilla strips