Description
A hearty and comforting Italian Meatballs Soup featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables, diced tomatoes, and small pasta, garnished with fresh parsley. Perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Soup
- 6 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or acini di pepe)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until the vegetables become tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the chicken or beef broth. Increase heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer with meatballs: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Carefully add the prepared meatballs into the pot.
- Cook the meatballs: Allow the soup to simmer for approximately 20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and start floating to the surface.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in the small pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the soup hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef and pork with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Fresh herbs like basil and oregano can be used instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor.
- For a richer broth, add a splash of red wine during the sautéing stage.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the pot when adding meatballs to ensure even cooking.
