Soul-Warming Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe for Cold Days

Savory aromas of herbs and savory meatball soup waft through the kitchen, promising a comforting meal that speaks directly to the soul.

Tender ground beef, fragrant herbs, and rich tomato broth blend into a symphony of flavors that warm you from the inside out.

Each spoonful carries the essence of traditional Italian cooking, packed with robust ingredients and deep, satisfying taste.

The meatballs, carefully seasoned and perfectly browned, float like delicate treasures in a sea of vibrant vegetables and hearty broth.

Simmered to perfection, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a memorable dining experience.

Rustic and unpretentious, it connects you to generations of home cooks who understood the magic of uncomplicated, delicious food.

Serve this soup and watch as smiles spread around the table, telling a story of comfort and love.

How to Simmer Italian Meatball Soup with Flavor

• Craft Savory Meatballs

Blend ground beef with aromatic herbs, grated cheese, and a whisked egg. Gently shape into bite-sized spheres using your palms, creating uniform rounds that will burst with flavor.

• Sear Meat Spheres

Heat a deep pot with olive oil. Carefully drop meatballs into sizzling pan, rotating until each side develops a golden-brown crust. Remove and set aside, letting them rest while preparing soup base.

• Build Robust Soup Foundation

Sauté diced vegetables in remaining oil, releasing their natural sweetness. Allow onions, carrots, and celery to soften and caramelize, creating a rich aromatic landscape.

• Blend Liquid Components

Pour broth and crushed tomatoes into vegetable mixture. Season generously with herbs that transport you to an Italian countryside. Let liquid simmer and develop complex layers of taste.

• Reunite Meatballs with Broth

Gently reintroduce seared meatballs into bubbling liquid. Add pasta, allowing noodles to absorb surrounding flavors while cooking to perfect tenderness.

• Finish with Fresh Greens

Fold vibrant spinach or kale into soup, watching leaves wilt and incorporate their earthy essence into the dish.

• Serve with Flair

Ladle steaming soup into deep bowls. Sprinkle with freshly grated cheese and herbs. Pair with crusty bread for a complete culinary experience.

Flavor Boosters for Classic Meatball Soup

• Avoid overworking the ground beef when mixing ingredients to keep meatballs tender and juicy – gently combine with fingertips for the perfect texture.
• Swap traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds to make the recipe celiac-safe without compromising flavor.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meatball option, maintaining the soup's rich taste while reducing overall calories.
• Skip pasta entirely and substitute with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to create a keto-friendly version of this comforting soup.

Serve Italian Meatball Soup With Fresh Bread

• Rustic Bread Pairing: Slice up a warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic toast to soak up the delicious broth, adding a delightful crunch and extra flavor to each spoonful.
• Salad Companion: Toss a light, crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the hearty soup, creating a well-rounded and refreshing meal that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
• Wine Harmony: Complement the rich, savory soup with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which will enhance the robust flavors of the meatballs and bring out the depth of the dish.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra Parmesan or add a dollop of fresh ricotta on top for a creamy texture that melts beautifully into the warm soup, elevating the overall dining experience.

Best Way to Keep Meatball Soup for the Week

• Keep leftover soup in airtight containers, refrigerated for up to 4 days. Separate meatballs and broth prevents soggy textures.
• Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention when thawed slowly in refrigerator.
• Warm soup gently on stovetop, adding splash of broth to restore original consistency. Avoid microwave to maintain meatball tenderness and prevent rubbery texture.
• Prepare meatballs and chop vegetables in advance. Store separately in sealed containers, reducing cooking time when ready to assemble soup. Keeps ingredients fresh and saves precious weeknight cooking minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

Italian Meatball Soup Ingredients That Shine

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein base for the tender meatballs, choose lean cut for balanced texture.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and creates light, airy texture, preferably use fresh or panko.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds deep savory flavor and helps meatballs hold together, select freshly grated for best taste.
• Egg: Acts as natural binding agent, ensuring meatballs maintain perfect shape during cooking.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, aromatic flavor, select fresh cloves for maximum intensity.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings authentic Mediterranean herb profile, look for blend with dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use kosher salt for better distribution.

• Olive Oil: Creates foundational cooking medium with subtle fruity undertones, choose extra virgin.
• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix providing deep vegetable complexity, select fresh crisp produce.
• Broth: Delivers liquid foundation with savory depth, prefer low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock.
• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces bright acidity and slight sweetness, opt for high-quality canned variety.

• Pasta: Adds hearty texture and substance, select small shapes like orzo or mini shells.
• Spinach or Kale: Introduces vibrant green nutrients, choose fresh crisp leaves.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides finishing sharp, salty garnish, freshly grated recommended.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers fresh her.

Soup-Making Tools for a Cozy Meatball Dish

• Large mixing bowl: essential for combining meatball ingredients and mixing thoroughly.
• Cutting board: perfect for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: needed for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: great for stirring soup and mixing ingredients.
• Large pot or Dutch oven: crucial for browning meatballs and cooking the entire soup.
• Measuring cups and spoons: help ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Plate: used for setting aside browned meatballs temporarily.
• Ladle: convenient for serving soup into individual bowls.

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian meatball soup brings robust flavors from traditional family recipes straight to your kitchen. Savory ground beef meatballs simmer gently in rich tomato broth, promising warmth and comfort with each delicious spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or mix of beef and pork)
• 6 cups (1.5 L) chicken or beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 cup (85 g) small pasta (ditalini, orzo, or mini shells)
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (30 g) breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Meatball Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Craft compact spherical morsels approximately one inch in diameter.
2. Meatball Searing: Heat olive oil in a substantial pot over medium flame. Carefully introduce meatballs in controlled batches, rotating to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior (5-7 minutes). Temporarily relocate browned meatballs to a separate plate.
3. Vegetable Foundation: Within the identical pot, replenish olive oil if necessary. Sauté chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until vegetables transform into tender, translucent components (4-5 minutes).
4. Liquid Integration: Incorporate broth, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Elevate temperature to boiling point, then reduce to gentle simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize.
5. Meatball and Pasta Incorporation: Reintroduce previously seared meatballs into simmering liquid. Cascade pasta into pot, cooking until pasta reaches al dente consistency and meatballs complete internal cooking (8-10 minutes).
6. Final Embellishment: Gently fold fresh spinach or kale, permitting greens to wilt seamlessly (1-2 minutes). Distribute soup into serving vessels, garnishing with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley. Recommend accompanying with crusty bread or crisp salad.

Notes

• Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during cooking.
• Mix ingredients gently and avoid overworking the meat to keep meatballs tender and soft.
• Add pasta near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente texture.
• Substitute ground beef with turkey or plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free breadcrumbs, and swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles for low-carb version.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 50mg