Italian Wedding Soup

Name: Italian Wedding Soup
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 8 ounces Italian pork sausage (casings removed); 8 ounces ground beef; ¼ cup plain panko crumbs or breadcrumbs; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 large egg (lightly beaten); ½ cup grated parmesan; salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small yellow onion (diced); 2 large carrots (diced); 2 celery ribs (diced); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 4 cloves garlic (minced); ½ tablespoon Italian Seasoning; 8 cups low sodium chicken broth (you can also use beef broth or vegetable broth); 1 cup acini di pepe (or orzo pasta); 4 cups baby spinach leaves; shredded parmesan (for serving)