A comforting, hearty soup featuring tender meatballs, vibrant kale, and a zesty hint of lemon. Perfect for a cozy evening!

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

4 cups kale, stems removed and roughly chopped

1/2 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or orzo)

Juice and zest of 1 lemon

Salt and pepper, to taste

For Garnish:

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Chopped fresh parsley