Name: Italian Meatball Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/4 cup bread crumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups beef broth; 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes; 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or orzo); 2 cups fresh spinach; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Description

A cozy and comforting dish featuring tender meatballs, savory broth, and vibrant vegetables, perfect for chilly weather.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups beef broth
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or orzo)
2 cups fresh spinach
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides. Remove them from the pot and set aside.
Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
Return the browned meatballs to the pot and let them simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in the pasta and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the spinach and parsley, cooking until the spinach is wilted, around 2 minutes.
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider adding Parmesan rind while simmering. This soup can also be made vegan by substituting beef with plant-based meat and using vegetable broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 70mg