Description
Hearty meatball soup brings comfort from Italian kitchens, blending tender beef spheres with rich, velvety broth. Savory spices and fresh herbs dance through each spoonful, promising warmth and satisfaction for hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 recipe homemade meatballs or 18-20 ounces (510–567 grams) frozen meatballs, thawed
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 28 ounces (794 grams) crushed tomatoes
Liquid and Seasoning Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 32 ounces (907 grams) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces (2 1/2 cups) (227 grams) uncooked rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Kosher salt to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Shaved Parmesan
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Craft meatballs using preferred method, either homemade or pre-prepared frozen variety.
- Warm oil in large pot and sauté diced onions with salt and pepper, allowing gentle caramelization for 6-8 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic, selected seasonings, and tomato paste, stirring continuously for approximately 1 minute to release aromatic flavors.
- Deglaze pot with a splash of broth, carefully scraping accumulated browned bits from bottom surface.
- Pour remaining broth, incorporate diced tomatoes, uncooked pasta, and prepared meatballs into the pot.
- Raise heat to generate gentle simmer, then reduce temperature, cover with lid, and allow to cook for 12-15 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.
- Gently fold fresh spinach and cream into soup, continuing until spinach wilts and becomes tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, ensuring balanced flavor profile.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for enhanced presentation and taste.
Notes
- Meatball Customization Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken to create a lighter, leaner version of the soup that’s perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with zucchini noodles to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Vegetable Boost Experiment with additional vegetables like diced carrots or celery during the sautéing stage to increase nutritional value and add more depth to the flavor profile.
- Prep-Ahead Strategy Prepare meatballs and chop vegetables in advance to streamline cooking process and reduce overall meal preparation time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg