Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

Introduction

Italian Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for any day of the week. Combining tender meatballs with flavorful broth, fresh vegetables, and pasta, it is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• Meatballs – about 1 pound, prepared or store-bought
• Broth – 6 cups of beef or chicken broth
• Vegetables – 2 cups mixed, such as carrots, celery, and spinach
• Pasta – 1 cup small shapes like ditalini or elbows

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, bring the broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Add the meatballs to the simmering broth and cook until they are heated through and fully cooked, about 10-15 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in the vegetables and pasta, cooking until the pasta is tender and the vegetables are just cooked, about 8-10 minutes more.
4. Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use homemade meatballs seasoned with garlic and herbs for extra flavor.
• Swap the pasta for rice or barley to change the texture.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil just before serving to brighten the soup.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm gently on the stove to prevent overcooking the pasta and vegetables. This soup can also be frozen, but note pasta may become softer after freezing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen meatballs in this soup?

Yes, frozen meatballs can be added directly to the simmering broth, but allow extra cooking time to ensure they are heated through completely.

What soup broth works best for this recipe?

Beef or chicken broth works well, depending on your preference. A rich beef broth gives a deeper flavor, while chicken broth keeps it lighter. Vegetable broth can be used for a meatless version with vegetarian meatballs.

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 84 reviews

Italian Meatball Soup is a hearty and comforting classic featuring savory homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful broth with nutritious vegetables and tender pasta. This wholesome soup combines traditional Italian flavors in a simple yet satisfying one-pot meal, perfect for cozy dinners.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Broth

• 6 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta

• 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or elbow macaroni)

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated, then shape into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
2. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the broth and seasonings: Pour in the beef or chicken broth and canned diced tomatoes with their juice. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4. Simmer meatballs: Carefully add the prepared meatballs to the simmering soup. Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for about 20-25 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
5. Cook the pasta: Add the small pasta to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
6. Serve: Ladle the Italian meatball soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy warm.

Notes

• For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for the meatballs.
• Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• You can add spinach or kale for extra greens and nutrients.
• Substitute gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: Italian Meatball Soup, meatball soup, Italian soup recipe, hearty soup, homemade meatballs