Italian Meatball Soup (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork.
02 -
1/3 cup breadcrumbs.
03 -
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
04 -
1 egg.
05 -
2 cloves garlic, minced.
06 -
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried).
07 -
1/2 tsp salt.
08 -
1/4 tsp black pepper.
09 -
1 tbsp olive oil.
10 -
1 small onion, finely chopped.
11 -
2 carrots, peeled and sliced.
12 -
2 celery stalks, sliced.
13 -
3 cloves garlic, minced.
14 -
6 cups chicken or beef broth.
15 -
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes.
16 -
1 tsp dried oregano.
17 -
1 tsp dried basil.
18 -
Salt and pepper to taste.
19 -
1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or orzo).
20 -
2 cups fresh spinach or kale.
21 -
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving.
22 -
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional).
# Instructions:
01 -
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or beef/pork mixture), breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
02 -
Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and set them aside on a plate.
03 -
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The meatballs don’t need to be fully cooked through, as they will finish cooking in the soup. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.
04 -
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
05 -
Pour in the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), oregano, and basil. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
06 -
Add the browned meatballs back into the pot, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.
07 -
Stir in the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Add the spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
08 -
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Prep Time: 20 minutes.
02 -
Cooking Time: 40 minutes.
03 -
Total Time: 1 hour.
04 -
Servings: 6 servings.