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An appetizing overhead shot of a hearty bowl of italian meatball soup with pasta, vegetables, and fresh herbs on a rustic wooden table.

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup

A cozy, hearty soup loaded with homemade meatballs, pasta, and vegetables simmered in a rich tomato broth. A classic Italian comfort dish that’s perfect for weeknights and meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
  • 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • cooking spray
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion (finely diced)
  • 2 celery stalks (sliced)
  • 2 carrots (peeled and diced)
  • 15 oz can crushed tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 16 oz can tomato sauce
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3/4 cup dry short pasta (ditalini, orzo, or small shells)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
  • Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat broiler. Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray. In a bowl, combine ground beef, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, egg, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix gently. Roll into 1-inch balls (25-30 total). Broil 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and cooked through.
  2. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Add pasta to the simmering soup. Cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally.
  5. Gently add cooked meatballs to the soup. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors and heat meatballs through.
  6. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot with bread or salad.

Notes

For extra flavor, sauté a tablespoon of tomato paste with the veggies before adding the broth. Swap in ground turkey for a lighter meatball. To freeze, undercook the pasta slightly and let the soup cool completely before storing.