Step 1

For the soup, cook the broccoli rabe or broccolini in salted water at low rolling boil for 2 to 3 minutes, then cold shock, drain and chop into bite-sized pieces

Step 2

Heat a soup pot over medium heat with EVOO and butter, add onions and season with salt

Step 3

Listicle: 10-Quart Covered Stockpot Add bay leaf, cover pot and sweat onions 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally

Step 4

Add garlic and stir a minute or 2, then add tomatoes, stock and passata

Step 5

Simmer 10 to 15 minutes more and puree with stick blender

Step 6

For the meatballs, combine all ingredients and roll into balls

Step 7

Slide into simmering soup, cover and cook 25 minutes or until rice is tender and beef is cooked through

Step 8

Add broccoli rabe with 5 minutes left of simmer

Step 9

Serve in bowls topped with basil and shredded Parmesan cheese