Kittencal's Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup

Warm, hearty, and brimming with flavor, Kittencal's Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. This rich, Italian-inspired soup features tender, perfectly seasoned mini meatballs simmered alongside a medley of vibrant vegetables, cannellini beans, and small-shell pasta in a robust tomato and beef broth. Enhanced with aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, this recipe delivers a rustic, homemade taste that’s both satisfying and nutritious. With its make-ahead-friendly approach and the irresistible addition of freshly grated Parmesan, this soul-warming soup is as versatile as it is delicious. Perfectly customizable and easy to prepare, it’s a one-pot wonder that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 6 cups beef broth
• 15 ounces canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.75 cup small shell pasta (or ditalini)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0 Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the mini meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the diced onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the zucchini and cook for another 3 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, beef broth, cannellini beans, oregano, basil, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 6

Return the mini meatballs to the pot and let simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a separate pot according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the soup and stir well. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 10

Remove from heat, sprinkle in the fresh parsley, and stir.

Step 11

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4132.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3263.0

Total Fat 158.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 52.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.3g
Cholesterol 557.0mg	0%
Sodium 10051.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 305.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 55.5g	0%
Total Sugars 53.5g
Protein 173.5g	0%

Vitamin D 50IU	0%
Calcium 1167.9mg	0%
Iron 31.1mg	0%
Potassium 7060.6mg	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: 42.7%

Protein: 20.7%

Carbs: 36.6%