Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe: A Cozy Bowl of Comfort

Steaming with rich flavors, this hearty Italian meatball soup delivers comfort in every spoonful.

Tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs dance through a robust broth packed with vegetables and herbs.

Each ingredient tells a story of traditional Italian cooking passed down through generations.

Rustic and satisfying, the soup warms you from the inside out with its deep, layered tastes.

Crisp vegetables and juicy meatballs create a symphony of textures that elevate this classic dish.

Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top adds a final touch of decadence that makes this soup irresistible.

One bite will transport you to a cozy kitchen in the heart of Italy, ready to savor every delicious moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need For Italian Meatball Soup

• Ground Beef: Provides rich, meaty foundation with ideal fat content for juicy meatballs.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind ingredients and creates tender meatball texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth and helps meatballs hold together.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and ensures meatballs stay compact during cooking.

• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that complements meat perfectly.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that create authentic Mediterranean taste profile.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and complexity to meatball mixture.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base and adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Onion: Creates sweet, caramelized flavor foundation for soup.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Celery: Contributes light, fresh herbal notes and crisp texture.
• Chicken Broth: Creates rich, comforting liquid base with deep flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and rustic texture to soup.
• Pasta: Transforms soup into hearty, satisfying meal.
• Spinach or Kale: Introduces fresh, nutritious green element with earthy flavor.

• Parmesan Cheese: Provides final salty, nutty sprinkle.
• Fresh Parsley: Delivers bright, clean finishing touch.

Kitchen Tools For Italian Meatball Soup

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining ground beef and seasonings to create delicious meatballs.
• Large Pot: Essential for browning meatballs and cooking the entire soup, ensuring deep flavor development.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and stir soup without scratching the pot.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery.
• Sharp Knife: For precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup smoothly into individual bowls.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for consistent results.

Easy Instructions For Italian Meatball Soup

• Craft Flavorful Meatballs

Mix ground beef with grated cheese, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, egg, and seasonings. Roll into bite-sized spheres that will dance in your soup.

• Brown the Meatball Treasures

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Gently sear meatballs until golden brown, creating a delicious exterior that locks in rich flavors. Set aside momentarily.

• Build the Soup Foundation

Sauté chopped onions, carrots, and celery until they release their aromatic magic. Pour in broth and diced tomatoes, letting the liquid simmer and develop depth.

• Merge Meatballs and Liquid Love

Return browned meatballs to the pot. Add pasta and let everything bubble together until noodles become tender. Toss in fresh greens for a vibrant touch.

• Create a Comforting Bowl

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan and chopped parsley. Pair with crusty bread for a heartwarming meal that hugs your soul.

Tips For Flavorful Italian Meatball Soup

• Flavor Boosting Tip: Toast breadcrumbs in a skillet before mixing into meatballs to create a deeper, nuttier flavor profile that elevates the entire soup's taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs and soup base a day in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld and develop more complexity.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles to make the soup celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
• Protein Power Alternative: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meatball option that still delivers incredible Italian-inspired flavor and protein punch.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace meatballs with plant-based protein like lentil balls or firm tofu crumbles seasoned with Italian herbs to create a satisfying meat-free version of this hearty soup.

Serving Up Italian Meatball Soup

• Hearty Bread Companion: Grab a slice of warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic toast to soak up the delicious broth and add a satisfying crunch to your meal.
• Salad Side Kick: Pair the soup with a crisp mixed green salad topped with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty flavors and add a fresh element to your dinner.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the soup's robust taste with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which enhances the Italian-inspired flavors and makes the meal feel extra special.
• Cozy Comfort Finish: Serve the soup in deep, wide bowls to showcase the colorful ingredients and create a warm, inviting presentation that feels like a hug in a bowl.

How To Store Italian Meatball Soup Properly

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed soup stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious flavors and texture.
• Quick Freezing Method: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze flat for easy storage, keeping meatballs and soup intact for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing pasta to prevent mushy texture.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add fresh pasta or extra broth if needed to restore original consistency. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain meatball quality.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Consider storing meatballs and soup liquid separately to prevent pasta from absorbing too much liquid and becoming soggy. This method helps maintain optimal texture when reheating and serving leftovers.

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup delivers classic comfort from Italian kitchens with robust flavors and tender meat. Rich broth and carefully crafted meatballs invite home cooks to savor each warming spoonful.

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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 large egg
• 1 cup (85 g) small pasta (ditalini, orzo, or mini shells)
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup (30 g) breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated parmesan cheese
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Meatball Preparation: Thoroughly combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until ingredients are evenly integrated, creating a cohesive mixture.
2. Searing Meatballs: Craft uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter and brown them in a heated pot with olive oil, rotating to achieve a golden exterior across all surfaces, then set aside.
3. Vegetable Foundation: In the same pot, sauté diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence, creating a flavor-rich base.
4. Liquid Composition: Pour broth, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the vegetable mixture, bringing the liquid to a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
5. Meatball Integration: Carefully reintroduce browned meatballs into the simmering broth, allowing them to continue cooking and infuse the liquid with their rich, savory profile.
6. Pasta and Greens: Add pasta to cook until al dente, simultaneously ensuring meatballs are thoroughly cooked, then fold in fresh spinach or kale during the final moments of cooking to preserve their vibrant color and nutritional integrity.
7. Serving Finale: Ladle the aromatic soup into serving bowls, garnishing generously with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley, accompanied by crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Meatball Mastery: Ensure uniform size and gentle mixing to prevent tough meatballs by using a light touch when combining ingredients.
• Browning Brilliance: Achieve deep flavor by properly searing meatballs, creating a golden crust that locks in moisture and adds rich caramelization.
• Pasta Precision: Add pasta towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente texture, preventing mushy noodles.
• Dietary Flexibility: Easily adapt the recipe by substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta for dietary restrictions.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg