Description
This Italian Meatball Soup is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a cozy family dinner. Tender meatballs, vegetables, pasta, and flavorful broth come together to create a satisfying meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef or beef/pork mix
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or orzo)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Additional grated Parmesan and fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Roll into small meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a pot, brown the meatballs, and set aside.
- Cook the soup: Sauté onion, carrots, and celery. Add tomatoes, broth, basil, and red pepper flakes. Simmer with meatballs. Add pasta, cook until tender. Stir in spinach until wilted.
- Season and serve: Adjust seasoning, then serve hot garnished with Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- You can make the meatballs in advance and freeze them for a quick meal.
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey and low-sodium broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
