Mini Meatball Minestrone

Ingredients

• Meatballs
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (or a mix of Parmesan and Romano)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• Soup
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups tomato juice or 2 cups vegetable juice
• 2 cups green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dried)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta, such as elbows