Fluffster's Very Best Meatball Soup

Capture the heartwarming essence of comfort food with Fluffster's Very Best Meatball Soup—a hearty, flavorful bowl of bliss that's perfect for any day of the week. This recipe features tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and pork, simmered alongside a medley of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a rich broth that’s punctuated with baby spinach and al dente pasta. With its touch of Parmesan cheese, the essence of garlic, and a hint of oregano, every spoonful is a delight to the senses. Ready in just over an hour, this one-pot wonder is ideal for a cozy family dinner or meal prep for the week. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread for the ultimate comforting experience. Keywords: meatball soup recipe, hearty meatball soup, comfort food, easy soup recipes, homemade meatballs, vegetable soup with pasta.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 large celery stalks, diced
• 8 cups chicken or beef broth
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup uncooked small pasta (e.g., ditalini or orzo)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined but do not overmix.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and set aside on a parchment-lined tray.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and sear until browned on all sides (they don't need to cook through at this stage). Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Step 4

In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the chicken or beef broth, canned diced tomatoes (with juices), and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Once the broth is boiling, add the browned meatballs back into the pot. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the uncooked pasta and continue to simmer for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.

Step 8

During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the baby spinach and stir until wilted.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf and season the soup to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 10

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3948.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3652.9

Total Fat 194.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.2g
Cholesterol 758.4mg	0%
Sodium 11829.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 273.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.5g	0%
Total Sugars 43.7g
Protein 210.0g	0%

Vitamin D 80.6IU	0%
Calcium 952.8mg	0%
Iron 23.9mg	0%
Potassium 3992.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.5%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 29.7%