Italian Meatball Soup

Cozy up with a steaming bowl of Italian Meatball Soup, a hearty and flavorful dish that's the perfect blend of comfort and tradition. This recipe features tender homemade meatballs crafted from a savory mix of ground beef, pork, Parmesan, and fresh parsley, gently simmered in a rich tomato and chicken broth base. Packed with wholesome vegetables like carrots, celery, and spinach, and finished with a touch of tender pasta, every spoonful is a delicious medley of textures and flavors. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner or meal prep, this one-pot wonder tastes even better with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a slice of crusty bread on the side. Ready in under an hour, this Italian classic is guaranteed to warm your soul!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 2 medium Carrots, diced
• 2 Celery stalks, diced
• 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups Chicken broth
• 1 tsp Dried Italian seasoning
• 2 cups Spinach leaves, chopped
• 0.75 cup Small pasta (e.g., ditalini or orzo)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well until fully combined.

Step 2

Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a plate or baking sheet.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Carefully add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per batch. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.

Step 4

In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and the remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and dried Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Return the browned meatballs to the pot. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.

Step 7

Stir in the small pasta and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.

Step 8

Add the chopped spinach and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.

Step 9

Season the soup with the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, or to taste.

Step 10

Serve hot with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3826.4 grams (3826.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3244

Total Fat 163.70g	210%
Saturated Fat 59.20g	296%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 765mg	255%
Sodium 9049mg	393%
Total Carbohydrate 250.00g	91%
Dietary Fiber 30.70g	110%
Total Sugars 49.90g
Protein 212.70g	425%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 983mg	76%
Iron 30mg	164%
Potassium 6376mg	136%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.3%

Protein: 25.6%

Carbs: 30.1%