Best Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

This Italian Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender, flavorful meatballs with a rich tomato-based broth and plenty of vegetables. It’s easy to make, and with a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that’s perfect for a cozy evening or a family gathering. The meatballs soak up the savory broth, creating a satisfying and flavorful soup that everyone will love.

In this recipe, you can look forward to juicy, flavorful meatballs that are perfectly seasoned and a rich, aromatic broth packed with veggies. The combination of tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs gives this soup a comforting, satisfying flavor. It’s a great choice for chilly nights and is easily customizable to your tastes.

Tools to Use

Large pot or Dutch oven
Mixing bowl
Spoon or ladle
Baking sheet (for browning meatballs, optional)

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
4 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
1 cup small pasta (like orzo or ditalini)
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

Make the Meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and golden brown. (Alternatively, you can brown them in a pan on the stove for a few minutes if you prefer.)
Make the Soup Base:
- While the meatballs are baking, heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the Broth and Tomatoes:
- Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes. Stir in the dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the Meatballs and Pasta:
- Once the meatballs are ready, add them to the pot with the soup, gently stirring them into the broth. Add the pasta and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked through.
Garnish and Serve:
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.

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Best Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

This Italian Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender, flavorful meatballs with a rich tomato-based broth and plenty of vegetables. It’s easy to make, and with a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that’s perfect for a cozy evening or a family gathering. The meatballs soak up the savory broth, creating a satisfying and flavorful soup that everyone will love.

Equipment

Large pot or Dutch oven
Mixing bowl
Spoon or ladle
Baking sheet (for browning meatballs, optional)

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Soup:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion chopped
2 carrots diced
2 celery stalks diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
4 cups beef broth or chicken broth
1 cup small pasta like orzo or ditalini
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

Make the Meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
Roll the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and golden brown. (Alternatively, you can brown them in a pan on the stove for a few minutes if you prefer.)
Make the Soup Base:
While the meatballs are baking, heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the Broth and Tomatoes:
Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes. Stir in the dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the Meatballs and Pasta:
Once the meatballs are ready, add them to the pot with the soup, gently stirring them into the broth. Add the pasta and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked through.
Garnish and Serve:
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.

Tips for Cooking

Use lean ground meat: For a leaner version, you can use ground turkey or chicken.
Add extra veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to make the soup even more hearty.
Customize your pasta: Choose your favorite small pasta shape for this soup, or use a gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

This Italian Meatball Soup is perfect for anyone who loves Italian flavors but wants an easy, one-pot meal. The combination of tender meatballs, savory broth, and vegetables makes for a filling meal that’s perfect for both weeknights and special occasions. It’s also a great way to enjoy a comforting dish without spending hours in the kitchen.

This Best Italian Meatball Soup recipe is everything you want in a cozy meal—hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. Whether you’re cooking for your family or preparing a meal for a crowd, this recipe will become a go-to favorite. Give it a try, and you’ll have a bowl of warmth and comfort in no time!