Meatball Minestrone - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup dried Italian breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups water or 2 1/2 cups beef broth
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, with liquid
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
parmesan cheese (optional)
sugar, to taste (optional)

Preparation

In mixing bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, crumbs, salt and pepper. Shape into 30 1-inch balls.
In large saucepan, brown meatballs on all sides. Drain excess fat.
Add remaining ingredients except macaroni and parsley; cover and simmer 20 minutes.
Add macaroni; simmer 10 minutes or until tender.
Stir in parsley.