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Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

4.6 from 65 reviews

A hearty and comforting Italian Meatball Soup featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a savory broth with vegetables and pasta. This classic soup brings together the rich flavors of garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and tomatoes, making it a perfect meal for any season.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables and Broth

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 6 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

Pasta

  • 3/4 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or small shells)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery until vegetables are tender and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  3. Simmer meatballs and broth: Carefully add the meatballs to the pot along with the broth and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and flavors to meld.
  4. Add pasta: Stir in the small pasta and continue to simmer the soup until the pasta is al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  5. Serve hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and optionally garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve warm for a satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Use beef or a mixture of beef and pork for juicier meatballs.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use gluten-free pasta.
  • Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To prevent pasta from getting soggy, cook pasta separately and add just before serving.
  • Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley to enhance flavor.

Keywords: Italian meatball soup, meatball soup recipe, hearty soup, Italian soup with meatballs, vegetable meatball soup