Meatball Soup

Meatball Soup

6 servings
This hearty Italian Meatball Soup is the ultimate comfort food! With tender homemade, meatballs, vegetables and pasta in a delicious tomato-based broth with Parmesan cheese, it’s a delight for your taste buds!

Ingredients

  • soft bread

    to make about ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs

    1 slice
  • ground beef
    ½ lb
  • ground pork
    ½ lb
  • Parmesan cheese
    ½ c
  • egg
    1
  • Italian seasoning
    1 tsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • oil
    2 tbsp
  • carrots

    peeled and chopped

    2 large
  • ribs celery

    finely chopped

    2
  • onion

    finely chopped

    1 small
  • tomato paste
    2 tbsp
  • garlic

    finely minced

    3 clove
  • Italian seasoning
    1 tsp
  • salt
    1 tsp
  • red chili flakes
    ¼ tsp
  • bay leaf
    1
  • low-sodium chicken broth
    4 c
  • tomatoes)

    with juice (28oz or 798ml

    1 can
  • Parmesan rind
    1
  • dry ditalini pasta
    1 c
  • fresh spinach

    roughly chopped

    2 c
  • marinara sauce
    ½ c

Directions

Meatballs

  1. 1

    Tear the bread into small pieces and place in a food processor or blender. Process until the bread is in fine crumbs.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, beef, pork, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Don’t overmix. Let sit for 10-20 minutes.

  3. 3

    Shape the mixture into 30 to 35 1″ balls and place on a large plate.

  4. 4

    Heat the oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. (They do not have to be cooked through.) Using a slotted spoon, remove the meatballs from the pot and set aside. Reserve the fat in the pot.

Meatball soup

  1. 1

    To the same pot (no need to clean it out first) over medium-high heat, add the carrots, celery, and onion and cook in the leftover fat from the meatballs for about 5 minutes, or until crisp-tender.

  2. 2

    Add the tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, chili flakes, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Stir in the broth, tomatoes, and Parmesan rind. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any browned bits. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are nearly tender.

  4. 4

    Stir in the uncooked pasta and meatballs. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low, then cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until pasta is al dente.

  5. 5

    Stir in the spinach and marinara sauce.

  6. 6

    Remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rind. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired before serving.

Meatball Soup

Meatball Soup

60 min6 servings428 cal

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About this Recipe

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup: Your Ultimate Comfort Bowl

There's nothing quite like a steaming bowl of hearty Italian Meatball Soup to warm you from the inside out. This isn't just any soup; it's the ultimate comfort food, boasting tender, juicy homemade meatballs, a rich, savory tomato-based broth, and a medley of fresh vegetables and pasta. Each spoonful is a delightful experience for your taste buds, making it perfect for a cozy family dinner or a comforting lunch.

What makes our Meatball Soup truly special are the perfectly seasoned homemade meatballs, crafted from a blend of ground beef and pork, bound with fresh bread crumbs and plenty of Parmesan cheese. These aren't just an afterthought; they're the stars of the show, adding incredible flavor and texture to every bite. Simmered in a robust broth made with diced tomatoes, aromatic garlic, Italian seasoning, and a special Parmesan rind for added depth, this soup develops a truly irresistible taste.

Crafting the Perfect Meatball Soup

Building flavor is key in this Italian Meatball Soup. Starting with a soffritto of carrots, celery, and onion, then blooming tomato paste and garlic, creates a foundation that's incredibly rich. The addition of red chili flakes provides a subtle warmth, while the bay leaf and Parmesan rind infuse the broth with layers of complexity as it simmers. We love ditalini pasta for its small, comforting shape, which perfectly nestles among the meatballs and vegetables.

Tips for the Best Bowl

  • Meatball Perfection: Don't overmix your meatball mixture; gentle handling keeps them tender. Browning them before adding to the soup also locks in flavor.
  • Broth Boost: The Parmesan rind is a secret weapon! Don't skip it, as it adds an umami depth that elevates the entire soup.
  • Vary Your Greens: While fresh spinach wilts beautifully into the soup at the end, feel free to experiment with kale or escarole for a different texture and flavor.

Serve this glorious Meatball Soup with a sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread for dipping into that incredible broth. It's a satisfying, full meal that comes together in just about an hour, proving that incredible homemade flavor is always within reach.

Frequently Asked Questions