Hearty Meatball Soup – Warm, Flavorful & Easy to Make
Enjoy a cozy bowl of hearty meatball soup with tender meatballs, fresh veggies, and a rich broth. Perfect for a family-friendly, comforting dinner!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 500 g ground beef 80/20 blend
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: ¼ cup grated parmesan
For the Soup:
- 8 cups beef or chicken broth
- 2 carrots diced small
- 1 celery stalk diced small
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cups potatoes diced (or skip this)
- 1 cup green beans cut into small pieces (optional)
- 1 can diced tomatoes optional
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste optional
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for browning meatballs
Optional Additions:
- 1 cup small pasta ditalini, stelline, or pastina
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Make Your Meatball Mixture
- Put 500g ground beef in a bowl. Add half a cup of breadcrumbs, one egg, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Mix with your hands til combined. Don't overmix or they'll be tough. Roll into balls about walnut-sized.
Step 2: Brown the Meatballs
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with oil. Add meatballs and brown them on all sides, takes about 10 minutes. Don't cook all the way through. Set aside.
Step 3: Prep Vegetables
- Dice your carrots, celery, onion, and potatoes small. The smaller they are, the faster they cook.
Step 4: Start Your Broth
- Pour 8 cups of broth into a large pot. Bring to a boil. Add your browned meatballs and let them cook for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Add Vegetables
- Add diced carrots, celery, onion, potatoes, basil, oregano. Add tomato paste if using. Turn heat to medium for a gentle simmer. Let cook for 10 to 15 minutes til vegetables are soft.
Step 6: Season It
- Taste the soup. Add salt and pepper as needed. If it tastes flat, add a squeeze of lemon juice or Worcestershire sauce.
Step 7: Add Pasta If Wanted
- If adding small pasta, add now and cook til done. Follow the box timing.
Step 8: Final Check
- Taste one more time. Add more salt or hot sauce if needed. Fresh herbs at the end taste good.
Step 9: Serve
- Ladle into bowls. Top with parmesan cheese if you want. Serve hot.