This hearty Italian Meatball Soup is the ultimate comfort food! With tender homemade meatballs, fresh vegetables, and pasta in a delicious tomato-based broth with Parmesan cheese, it’s a treat your taste buds won’t forget!
Introduction
If you’re in search of the perfect combination of hearty and flavorful, Meatball Soup is a dish you must try. Originating from Italy, this comforting meal brings together tender homemade meatballs, savory vegetables, and a rich tomato broth. Whether it’s a cold winter day or you’re just craving something delicious, Meatball Soup offers a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and pasta that satisfies every palate. Best served with crusty bread or alongside a light salad, it’s a family favorite and an easy weeknight dinner choice.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 slice soft bread (approx. ¾ cup fluffed bread crumbs)
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (fresh if possible)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
For the soup:
- 2 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 2 ribs celery (chopped)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can diced or crushed tomatoes (28oz)
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups spinach (roughly chopped)
- ½ cup marinara sauce
How to Make Meatball Soup – Step by Step
Step1: Prepare the Meatballs
- Make bread crumbs: Tear soft bread into small pieces and use a food processor to process it into fine crumbs.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, ground beef, pork, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix the mixture.
- Form the meatballs: Let the mixture sit for 10-20 minutes. Shape it into 1-inch balls (around 30-35 meatballs).
- Cook the meatballs: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on both sides for about 2 minutes per side, then remove them from the pot and set them aside.
Step2: Make the Soup
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, cook carrots, celery, and onion in the leftover fat from the meatballs until they are crisp-tender (about 5 minutes).
- Add flavor: Stir in tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute to let the flavors develop.
- Build the broth: Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and the Parmesan rind to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the vegetables: Simmer for 5 minutes until the vegetables are almost tender.
- Add pasta and meatballs: Stir in uncooked ditalini pasta and meatballs. Cover the pot and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
- Finish the soup: Stir in spinach and marinara sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
Helpful Tips for Meatball Soup
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh Parmesan cheese and vegetables elevate the flavor.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the meatballs in advance and freeze them for quicker meal prep.
- Dietary substitutions: For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version of this Meatball Soup.
Cooking Tips for the Best Meatball Soup
- Best meatball texture: Don’t overmix the meatball ingredients. Overmixing can result in tough meatballs.
- Perfect pasta: Always cook the pasta al dente in the soup, as it will continue to absorb liquid while it sits.
- Rich flavor: Don’t skip the Parmesan rind—this adds depth to the broth and a savory richness to the soup.
Serving Suggestions for Meatball Soup
Pair this delicious Meatball Soup with:
- A side of garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the savory broth.
- A light Caesar salad for a balanced meal.
- A glass of Chianti wine to complement the rich tomato flavors.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional info for Meatball Soup (per serving):
- Calories: 428 kcal
- Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 32g
- Protein: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
This hearty soup is a well-balanced meal, offering a good amount of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
Storage and Leftovers for Meatball Soup
- Store: Refrigerate leftover Meatball Soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: You can also freeze the soup (without the pasta) for up to 3 months. Add fresh pasta when reheating.
- Reheat: Warm on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup has thickened, you can add a splash of water or broth to loosen it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Meatball Soup
1. Can I freeze Meatball Soup?
Yes! Freeze it without the pasta for best results, and add fresh pasta when reheating.
2. What pasta works best for this Meatball Soup recipe?
Ditalini pasta is a great choice, but you can substitute any small pasta like orzo or elbow macaroni.
3. Can I make this Meatball Soup recipe with turkey?
Absolutely. You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner version of the soup.
4. How can I make this Meatball Soup gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs, and this soup is perfect for those avoiding gluten.
Related Recipes for Meatball Soup Lovers
Conclusion
Meatball Soup is a warm, comforting dish that’s perfect for family dinners or cozy nights at home. Give this recipe a try, and feel free to share your personal twists on it! We would love to hear how you made this classic dish your own.
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Meatball Soup Recipe – Easy, Hearty & Comforting Meal
Description
This hearty Italian Meatball Soup is the ultimate comfort food! With tender homemade meatballs, fresh vegetables, and pasta in a delicious tomato-based broth with Parmesan cheese, it’s a treat your taste buds won’t forget!
Ingredients
- 1 slice soft bread (approx. ¾ cup fluffed bread crumbs)
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (fresh if possible)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
For the soup:
- 2 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 2 ribs celery (chopped)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can diced or crushed tomatoes (28oz)
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups spinach (roughly chopped)
- ½ cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Make bread crumbs: Tear soft bread into small pieces and use a food processor to process it into fine crumbs.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, ground beef, pork, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix the mixture.
- Form the meatballs: Let the mixture sit for 10-20 minutes. Shape it into 1-inch balls (around 30-35 meatballs).
- Cook the meatballs: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on both sides for about 2 minutes per side, then remove them from the pot and set them aside.
Step 2: Make the Soup
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, cook carrots, celery, and onion in the leftover fat from the meatballs until they are crisp-tender (about 5 minutes).
- Add flavor: Stir in tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute to let the flavors develop.
- Build the broth: Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and the Parmesan rind to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook the vegetables: Simmer for 5 minutes until the vegetables are almost tender.
- Add pasta and meatballs: Stir in uncooked ditalini pasta and meatballs. Cover the pot and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
- Finish the soup: Stir in spinach and marinara sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
Equipment
2Pcs Heart Shape Cake Pans, Aluminum Heart Cake Mold, Reusable 10 inch
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Kids Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box – Included Reusable Ice Pack Keeps Food Cold
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- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh Parmesan cheese and vegetables elevate the flavor.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the meatballs in advance and freeze them for quicker meal prep.
- Dietary substitutions: For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version of this Meatball Soup.
