What’s in This Meatball Soup Recipe?
Beef: We used lean ground beef for these meatballs. They’re juicy but not greasy. Breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs together. Cheese: Parmesan cheese adds a salty and umami flavor to the meatballs. Egg: Helps bind the meatballs together. Seasonings: Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning add so much flavor to this meatball soup recipe. Veggies: Onion, carrots, and celery build a base of flavor. Add in some garlic to round it out. Tomato: Tomato paste and crushed canned tomatoes add balancing acidity to the soup. Broth: Low-sodium beef broth adds rich umami flavor without adding too much salt. Pasta: We like ditalini, but any tiny pasta will work. Spinach: Adds a kick of nutrition and helps mellow the tanginess of the tomato.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
With this recipe’s simple and flavorful ingredients, reminiscent of minestrone soup, you can make a perfectly healthy and wholesome soup for your family to enjoy in about an hour. The hearty Italian meatballs are the start of the show here!
Variations on Italian Meatball Soup
If you want to skip the beef in this soup recipe, consider using ground chicken (or turkey) to make the meatballs, and substitute chicken broth. It will be even lower in fat but taste just as delicious.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through. I recommend cooking and storing the ditalini separately if you plan to have leftovers to keep it from becoming mushy.
How to Freeze
Freeze this soup whole, or in individual portions, in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. If freezing, I also highly recommend leaving out the pasta until the soup has been reheated.
Serving Suggestions
This Italian soup is a hearty and satisfying dish that only needs some crusty bread or breadsticks to make it complete (and maybe a glass of red wine for the chef!). You can also serve this along with Olive Garden salad.
More Soup Recipes We Love
Chicken Soup Chicken Tortilla Soup Hash Brown Potato Soup Beer Cheese Soup Ham and Bean Soup Cabbage Soup
