Littlemafia's Romanian Meatballs Soup

Dive into a bowl of comforting tradition with Littlemafia’s Romanian Meatballs Soup, a hearty and flavorful dish that brings the essence of Eastern European cuisine to your table. This classic recipe features tender pork meatballs infused with rice and aromatic spices, simmered in a vibrant broth enriched with sautéed vegetables like carrots, celery, and parsnips. Tangy notes of vinegar or lemon juice perfectly balance the rich flavors, while fresh parsley and dill add a fragrant finish. With every spoonful, you'll savor the warmth and depth of this authentic Romanian soup, making it the perfect choice for chilly evenings or a cozy family dinner. Ready in just over an hour and serving six, this soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a dollop of sour cream for an irresistible, authentic touch.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground pork
• 50 g White rice
• 1 large Egg
• 2 medium (finely diced, divided) Yellow onion
• 2 medium (grated) Carrot
• 2 medium (diced) Celery stalk
• 1 medium (grated) Parsnip
• 2 medium (diced) Potatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp (adjust to taste) Vinegar or lemon juice
• 10 g (chopped for garnish) Fresh parsley
• 10 g (optional, chopped for garnish) Fresh dill
• 1 tsp (to taste) Salt
• 0.5 tsp (to taste) Black pepper
• 2.5 L Water or chicken broth

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, rice, one finely diced onion, egg, half a teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 2

Form small meatballs (approximately 1-2 cm in diameter) and set them aside on a plate.

Step 3

In a large soup pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the remaining finely diced onion, grated carrots, diced celery, and grated parsnip. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.

Step 4

Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir well to combine with the sautéed vegetables. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 5

Pour in the water or chicken broth, and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Once the soup is boiling, carefully drop the prepared meatballs into the pot one at a time. Lower the heat to a simmer and let them cook for 15-20 minutes.

Step 7

Add the diced potatoes to the soup and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes, or until the potatoes and meatballs are fully cooked.

Step 8

Season the soup with salt, black pepper, and your choice of vinegar or lemon juice for a tangy flavor. Stir well and adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 9

Remove the pot from heat and sprinkle fresh parsley (and dill, if using) on top as garnish.

Step 10

Serve the soup hot with crusty bread or a dollop of sour cream for an authentic Romanian experience.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4176.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2524.0

Total Fat 140.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18.8g
Cholesterol 669.5mg	0%
Sodium 3008.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.5g	0%
Total Sugars 30.0g
Protein 154.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 442.3mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 4049.6mg	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: 49.8%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 25.8%