Description
Meatball Soup is a cozy, comforting dish that combines tender, flavorful meatballs with a rich broth and fresh vegetables. Perfect for chilly evenings, this one-pot meal features simple ingredients, easy preparation, and versatile options to suit any taste. It’s a heartwarming bowl of comfort food that’s family-friendly and easy to customize with your favorite herbs, veggies, or grains.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 4 cups chicken or beef broth
For Garnish and Flavor
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Freshly grated parmesan (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until combined to keep the meatballs tender. Shape into small, even-sized balls to ensure even cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Carefully brown the meatballs on all sides, about 3 minutes each, then remove and set aside. This locks in flavor and helps the meatballs maintain their shape.
- Cook the Vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped carrots, celery, and onion. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes, building a flavorful base.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pot to deepen the flavor. Return the meatballs to the pot, cover, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Season: Stir in freshly chopped parsley or basil, adjust salt and pepper to taste, and let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving to meld the flavors.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatball ingredients to keep them tender.
- Keep meatballs small for quick cooking and juicy texture.
- Brown meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure a good sear.
- Use high-quality broth or homemade stock for richer flavor.
- Let the soup rest off the heat before serving to enhance flavor depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: meatball soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, one-pot meal, family-friendly soup, hearty soup, fall recipe