Description
Rich Italian flavors dance through this hearty Meatball Soup, blending tender beef spheres with aromatic herbs and vegetables. Comforting warmth fills each spoonful, inviting you to savor authentic Mediterranean comfort in a single, soul-satisfying bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 pre-cooked meatballs (beef or turkey)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup small pasta (such as orzo or ditalini)
- 2 cups spinach leaves
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by gently sautéing finely chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce a medley of diced carrots, celery, and zucchini to the pot, seasoning with a blend of salt, freshly ground pepper, and Italian herbs. Allow the vegetables to soften and release their natural flavors.
- Pour in rich chicken broth and vibrant diced tomatoes, allowing the liquid to reach a rolling boil, which will help meld the ingredients’ essences.
- Carefully lower pre-prepared meatballs and pasta into the bubbling broth, reducing the heat to a gentle simmer. Let the ingredients dance together, with the pasta becoming perfectly tender and the meatballs heating through.
- In the final moments of cooking, delicately fold fresh spinach leaves into the soup, watching them wilt and infuse the broth with their verdant color and nutritional goodness.
- Ladle the steaming soup into warm bowls, creating an inviting presentation that showcases the colorful ingredients and robust flavors.
- Complete the dish with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, adding a luxurious, nutty dimension to the hearty soup.
Notes
- Customize meatballs by using ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for lighter protein options that maintain flavor and texture.
- Add depth to the soup by roasting vegetables before adding them to enhance their natural sweetness and create a more complex taste profile.
- Balance sodium levels by using low-sodium chicken broth and adjusting salt gradually to prevent over-seasoning, allowing individual diners to season to preference.
- Boost nutritional value by incorporating additional vegetables like kale or Swiss chard for extra vitamins and minerals, making the soup more nutrient-dense.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg