This hearty, easy meatball soup combines Italian-style meatballs, chopped veggies and pasta, all simmered in a rich tomato broth. Add a side of your favorite salad, and you've got dinner!
We've been all about comforting soups and stews lately. We've rotated through some family favorites including: Avgolemono, Mushroom Barley Soup, and Italian Minestrone.
Adding to the list an ultra comforting soup: easy meatball soup, because why choose between saucy meatballs and soup when you can do them both!
Italian meatball soup
The gist of this recipe: Tender Italian-style meatballs, chopped vegetables, and pasta simmered in a rich and tasty tomato broth, seasoned with a bit of dried oregano and sweet paprika. I like to finish with some fresh parsley and a good sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
There are two obvious components: the meatballs + the broth (or soup)
- The meatballs. The meatball recipe itself is pretty much the one I use for my Italian baked chicken meatballs--infused with a little grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and dried oregano. The main difference here is that in the meat mixture, I used 90% lean ground beef, which has plenty of flavor but still leaner than other beef options. You can absolutely make chicken meatballs, turkey meatballs, or even use a combination of meats like ground beef and Italian sausage using the same recipe.
- The tomato broth. I love a hearty broth, and this one hits all the right notes for me. It starts with sauteing some onions, carrots, celery and garlic. You can use any broth you like. Low-sodium beef broth will give you a slightly richer flavor, but you can use vegetable broth or chicken broth. For the tomatoes, I love using canned whole peeled tomatoes here, which break up nicely adding more texture to the soup. To season the tomato broth, I used the same flavors used in the meat mixture, dried oregano, sweet paprika, and a bit of fresh parsley.
How to make meatball soup
Time needed: 55 minutes.
How to make meatball soup: step-by-step. Print-friendly recipe below
- Make the Meatball Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, add 1 ½ pounds of ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey). Add minced garlic (2 cloves), 1 raw egg (whisked), ½ cup Parmesan cheese, ⅓ cup bread crumbs, 2 teaspoon dry oregano, and ½ teaspoon sweet paprika. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Add a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and mix to combine.
- Form meatballs and broil
Turn your oven broiler on.
Take about 1 ½ tablespoons of the meat mixture and form a meatball. Set it on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Continue forming the mixture into meatballs (whatever size meatball you started with, stick to it). Line all the meatballs up on the sheet pan.
Broil for about 8 minutes or until the meatballs are browned (they will have a chance to cook some more later in the soup) - Make the soup
Grab a large pot. Heat a couple tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Now add chopped onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes or so until softened, stirring regularly.
Add 5 to 6 cups broth (if you like your soup more chunky, start with 5 cups), canned tomatoes (28 ounces of peeled tomatoes with their juices). Season with about 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/ teaspoon sweet paprika, kosher salt and black pepper to your taste.
Cook for about 10 minutes over medium/medium-high heat, then add in the broiled meatballs and ¾ cup of any small pasta you have such as ditalini, small shells or elbow pasta.
Cook for another 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked. Garnish with parsley. - Serve
Transfer the meatball soup to serving bowls. You can add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top. And if you enjoy spicy food, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Leftovers and storage
This meatball soup recipe makes a good amount to serve 6 or so people. For our small family, we typically end up with a little bit of leftovers which makes for a great lunch the next day.
You can store leftover meatball soup in the fridge for 3 days or so in a tight-lid glass container. Be sure the soup has completely cooled before you store in the fridge. Warm over medium heat, adding a little bit more liquid if needed.
Can you freeze leftover meatball soup?
If you're into meal prep want to make this soup ahead to freeze for later, you can. But, I recommend that you leave the pasta out and cook the meatball soup according to the recipe but without the pasta (you can cook the pasta later and add it to the soup).
Let the soup completely cool before you freeze. Divide it in portions, allowing room at the top of each container.
Thaw frozen meatball soup in the fridge overnight. Warm through over medium heat. And as mentioned earlier, you can add separately cooked pasta at this point.
If you're a fan of meatball soups, this Italian wedding soup is not to be missed!
Craving even more soup recipes? Go here. And here are more Italian-inspired recipes. And for all recipes visit us here.
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Easy Meatball Soup
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Description
This hearty, easy meatball soup combines Italian-style meatballs, chopped veggies and pasta, all simmered in a rich tomato broth. Add a side of your favorite salad, and you've got dinner!
Ingredients
For Meatballs
- 1 ½ lb lean ground beef (or ground chicken or ground turkey)
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 raw egg, whisked
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
- 2 tsp dry oregano
- ½ tsp sweet paprika
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ to 1 cup fresh chopped parsley
- Extra virgin olive oil (I used Private Reserve EVOO)
For the Soup
- Extra virgin olive oil (Private Reserve EVOO)
- 1 small onion, chopped (about ½ cup)
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, cored and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, peeled and chopped
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 to 6 cups broth (vegetable or beef broth)
- 1 28-oz can peeled tomatoes with juices
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
- ¾ cup dry small pasta like ditalini or small shells
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place the meatball ingredients in one large mixing bowl. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil. Mix until the meat mixture is well incorporated.
- Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 ½ tablespoon each (whatever size you choose, stick to it). Arrange the meatballs on a large, lightly oiled sheet pan and broil for 5 to 8 minutes until browned (they will cook some more in the soup).
- In a large pot, heat about 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Add broth and tomatoes. Season with oregano, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook over mediu/medium-high heat for 10 minutes.
- Add the meatballs and pasta. Cook for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
- Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Transfer to serving bowls, and if you like sprinkle a bit more grated Parmesan cheese. If you like heat, add some crushed pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Leftovers and storage: You can store leftover meatball soup in the fridge for 3 days or so in a tight-lid glass container. Be sure the soup has completely cooled before you store in the fridge. Warm over medium heat, adding a little bit more liquid if needed.
- Can you freeze this meatball soup? If you're making this as meal prep to freeze for a later time, do not add the pasta, instead make the recipe as stated without the pasta. Cool completely and portion in freezer-safe containers, leaving enough room at the top of each container, to freeze. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Warm over medium heat. Cook the pasta separately and add to the soup.
- Visit our online shop to browse quality Mediterranean products including extra virgin olive oils and spices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Meatball Soup, Italian Meatball Soup
Good recipe, very easy to adapt to your personal dietary needs! I'm cutting carbs so I left out the pasta. I also added turkey meatballs, spinach and mushrooms.
★★★★
Made this a few times with ground turkey...everyone loves it! I add veggies right in the broth and I get a complete dinner in a bowl!
★★★★★
This was really, really good! I used Impossible meatballs. I baked them as per the instructions on the bag, then added to the soup at the dictated time. They were fantastic, and if you want to make this soup plant-based it worked beautifully! Incredible soup. I will definitely be making it again!
Wasn't my favorite flavor-wise but my husband and son loved it. Very easy, thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
This was delicious! If I just wanted to make the meatballs, how would I cook then all the way, or would that dry them out?
★★★★★
Hi, Julia. I think it would be fine to cook them all the way. You can use my chicken meatball recipe as a guide.
Wrote the review forgot the stars!! 5 star all the way.
Hungry for more already!!
★★★★★
This was amazing!! So simple yet spectacular.
I made with beef meatballs for a friend after surgery. Even her 3 teens loved it. I also made a batch for us using beef broth but turkey meatballs. I loved it too.
Meatballs are quick. Easy & deliscious.
I am keeping these ingriediants on hand at all times! Thank you Suzy!
Delicious! Definitely don’t skimp on the fresh Parmesan for a finishing touch! So good!
★★★★★
I made a double batch for a Sicilian friend whose family was going through a rough time. It got rave reviews from three generations of her family. Everyone asked for the recipe. Officially nonna approved! 🇮🇹
★★★★★
I wrote a review already but forgot to assign stars…
Definitely 5! (I’d put 6 if I could!)
★★★★★
Awww! Thank you, Erin!
I made a big pot of this for a Sicilian friend when her family was going through a tough time and got rave reviews from three generations of her relatives. They all asked for the recipe. Officially nonna approved! 🇮🇹
This is an amazing soup recipe! I added a rind of parmigiano and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and wow!
★★★★★
Made as written. Very good.
★★★★★
Thanks Jacque!
Live this recipe! Made it a few times and I add red wine to the broth..really gives it great body! Enjoy!
★★★★★
Hi Suzy! I made this soup last night and it was absolutely delicious! My whole family loved it. Definitely plan on making it again.
Thanks,
Sandi
Yay! Thank you so much!
Delicious
This is just not my kind of soup. But for some reason it sounded good. So I made it and served to friends the next day. Ohmygoodness! So delicious! Even better a couple days later! I then made a batch of just the meatballs and froze them for future use. I may make a meatball sandwich. I love your recipes and really enjoy your videos! Thanks so much!
So glad you enjoyed it, Dawn!
I made this today to have for tomorrow. I did sneak in a small bowl to taste test. Mmmmmmmmm good!!
This is soooo gooood!
Thanks, Liz!
I can tell this is going to be amazing when I make it. What would you suggest in place of breadcrumbs-- to help me stay on my Keto journey?
★★★★★
Hi, Christina. I'm not super familiar with Keto, but I have seen almond meal or almond flour offered as a breadcrumb substitute when making meatballs. Honestly, not 100% sure if it will work here, as it's not something I've attempted. If you give it a try, I'd love to hear how it turned out.
You can use crushed pork rinds for any kind of ground meat mixture instead of bread crumbs. I'm not sure about almond flour but it will probably work?? But I know the pork rinds will, I've done it!
Pork rind crumbs would work.
I made this last week - Oh.Em.Gee!!! My husband told me to put this in the rotation - he could eat it every week!! Last night was a rough one and I pulled out the leftovers. His comment was, "Next time, make it and let it sit in the fridge for 2 days - this is even BETTER than the first night!!" Definitely a winner!!
★★★★★
Glad you both loved it! Thanks for taking the time to review :).