This is a quick version of meatball soup but with all the flavor of the original.
1/4 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup diced, peeled potato
1/4 cup sliced, peeled carrot
1/8 teaspoon crushed dried basil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 bay leaf
1 tomato, seeded and diced
Brown beef with chopped onionin a skillet over medium heat; drain.
Transfer beef and onion to large pot and heat over medium-high heat. Add celery, hot water, potato, carrot, basil, paprika, bay leaf and tomato. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove bay leaf before serving.
Makes 2 servings.