This Italian Meatball Soup recipe offers a deliciously hearty and comforting meal that combines savory meatballs, a flavorful tomato broth, and pasta. It’s a quick and easy dish that can be made in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend lunch.
Why You’ll Love It: Meatballs are a classic comfort food, and adding them to a soup transforms them into a warm, satisfying dish. Whether you use homemade, store-bought, or frozen meatballs, this soup is incredibly versatile and easy to make. With pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and Italian seasoning, this soup is rich in flavor and perfect for chilly days when you crave something filling and comforting.
What You’ll Need:
- Meatballs: Use your homemade recipe, store-bought, or frozen meatballs.
- Olive Oil, Onion, Garlic: For sautéing and creating a flavorful base.
- Tomatoes: Crushed fire-roasted tomatoes work best for added depth.
- Beef Broth: Rich beef broth enhances the broth’s flavor.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds freshness and crunch to the soup.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds complexity to the flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a mild kick, but it’s optional if you don’t want it spicy.
- Pasta: Fusilli or rotini works best for holding the soup’s flavors.
- Fresh Basil: Adds brightness and balances the rich tomato broth.
Tips for Success:
- Crushed tomatoes are ideal for texture, but diced tomatoes can be substituted if needed.
- If your crushed tomatoes are thicker, add more broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Be mindful of the pasta you choose; different types absorb liquid differently. Fusilli or rotini is a great choice for this soup.
How to Make Italian Meatball Soup:
- Cook the Meatballs: Either use your own meatball recipe (like my Italian meatballs) or grab some store-bought ones. Sauté onions in olive oil, followed by garlic, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, red bell pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and meatballs in a large pot.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then add pasta. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- Final Touch: Stir in fresh basil, season with salt and pepper, and serve with grated parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Substitutions & Variations:
- Add fresh spinach at the end of the cooking time for extra greens.
- Use pre-cooked frozen meatballs, just make sure they’re fully heated before serving.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables or herbs based on what you have on hand.
What to Serve With: Pair this soup with garlic bread or fresh crusty sourdough. A simple side salad, such as a mixed green salad with creamy balsamic dressing or a Caesar salad, would also complement the flavors of the soup. Don’t forget a generous sprinkle of parmesan on top to complete the meal!
Leftovers and Storage: This meatball soup keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days in a covered container. If the soup thickens, simply add a little extra broth when reheating. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months, but remember to add pasta fresh when reheating.
More Easy Meatball Recipes:
- Swedish Meatballs
- Easiest Baked Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Meatball Casserole
Enjoy this hearty, flavorful meatball soup that brings the warmth of Italian comfort food to your table!
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