Creamy Italian Meatball Soup

$Let’s dive into the key components of Creamy Italian Meatball Soup. Each ingredient plays a vital role in making this dish rich and satisfying. - Ground beef or turkey - Breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese - Vegetables (onion, carrots, celery) The main proteins are ground beef or turkey. They provide the base for our meatballs. I prefer using turkey for a lighter touch. Next, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese add flavor and help bind the meatballs together. For the vegetables, I use diced onion, carrots, and celery. This trio gives a sweet and savory base to the soup. - Chicken or vegetable broth - Diced tomatoes - Heavy cream For the soup base, I choose chicken or vegetable broth. It adds depth and warms the flavors. Diced tomatoes bring acidity and sweetness, balancing the dish. Heavy cream is essential, giving the soup its creamy texture. This richness is what makes it a comforting delight. - Garlic, oregano, basil - Salt and pepper - Fresh spinach and basil for garnish Garlic is a must for flavor. I use it in every batch. Oregano and basil add a classic Italian touch. Don’t forget salt and pepper; they enhance all the flavors. Finally, fresh spinach and basil are great for garnish. They add a pop of color and freshness to the finished dish. If you want to try making this soup yourself, check out the Full Recipe. To make the meatballs, start by mixing the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine: - 1 pound ground beef or turkey - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon dried basil - Salt and pepper to taste Mix all these ingredients well using your hands or a spoon. You want everything to blend nicely. Now, shape the mixture into small meatballs. Aim for about 1 inch in diameter. You should make around 20 to 24 meatballs. Next, let's cook the soup. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add: - 1 medium onion, diced - 2 carrots, diced - 2 celery stalks, diced Sauté these vegetables for 5 to 7 minutes until they become tender. Their aroma will fill your kitchen! Once the veggies are ready, add the meatballs to the pot. Cook them for about 5 minutes. Turn them gently so they brown on all sides. Now it's time to add the liquid. Pour in: - 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes Stir the mixture to combine everything. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps all the flavors to meld beautifully. After simmering, stir in: - 1 cup heavy cream - 2 cups fresh spinach Cook for another 5 minutes. The spinach will wilt, and the soup will become creamy and rich. Finally, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Now, your creamy Italian meatball soup is ready to serve! For the complete details, check out the Full Recipe. Enjoy! To make great meatballs, use the right ingredient ratios. The mix of meat, breadcrumbs, and cheese helps hold everything together. Too much breadcrumb makes them dry, while too little can make them fall apart. For tender meatballs, try not to overwork the mix. Gently combine the ingredients with your hands. Shape them lightly, about one inch in size. This keeps them soft and juicy when cooked. You can elevate the flavor with extra herbs and spices. Fresh parsley, thyme, or a pinch of red pepper flakes adds nice depth. If you love garlic, add more minced cloves for a punch. Let the soup simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This time allows all the flavors to blend wonderfully. Taste the soup before serving, and adjust the seasoning as needed. A little more salt or a dash of pepper can make a big difference. When serving, ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle fresh basil on top. This adds a nice pop of color and flavor. Pair the soup with slices of crusty bread. Serve it on the side to soak up the delicious broth. For a fun twist, try adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top right before serving. To learn all the steps, check out the Full Recipe for Creamy Italian Meatball Soup! {{image_4}} You can switch up the meat in this soup. Ground chicken or turkey works well. They give a lighter taste while keeping the dish hearty. If you prefer a plant-based option, try using plant-based meat. This way, you can enjoy the same great flavors while keeping it meat-free. If you want a lighter soup, use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream. Coconut milk is a tasty non-dairy choice. It adds a lovely richness while keeping it dairy-free. You can also blend silken tofu into the mix for extra creaminess. Make your soup unique by adding more ingredients! Chopped spinach or kale adds color and nutrition. You can toss in beans for added protein and fiber. Pasta is another fun option. Just be sure to cook it separately and add it when serving. This keeps the pasta from getting mushy. For more ideas, check the Full Recipe for inspiration. After making Creamy Italian Meatball Soup, let it cool completely. Use airtight containers for storage. This helps keep the soup fresh. Place the soup in the fridge. It can stay good for up to three days. To freeze the soup, first cool it down. Then, pour it into freezer-safe containers. Leave some space at the top; soup expands when it freezes. Seal the containers tightly. When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until hot. For best quality, enjoy your soup within three days in the fridge. If you freeze it, use it within three months. After that, the taste and texture may change. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. To make this soup from scratch, follow these steps: 1. Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix ground beef (or turkey), breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Roll this mixture into small meatballs, about one inch wide. 2. Cook the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a big pot. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté these for five to seven minutes until they soften. 3. Brown the meatballs: Gently add the meatballs to the pot. Cook for five minutes, turning them to brown on all sides. 4. Add broth and tomatoes: Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Stir well. Let the soup simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. 5. Finish with cream and spinach: Add heavy cream and fresh spinach. Cook for another five minutes until the spinach wilts. This method creates a warm, creamy soup that fills you up and warms your heart. For exact measurements and details, check the Full Recipe. Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time. Here are some tips: - Cook and cool: Prepare the soup as directed. Let it cool completely before storing it. - Store properly: Place the cooled soup in airtight containers. This keeps it fresh in the fridge for up to three days. - Reheat gently: When ready to eat, reheat the soup on low heat on the stove. Stir often to avoid burning. This makes it easy to enjoy a hearty meal any day of the week! If you want to lighten the soup, here are some great substitutes for heavy cream: - Half-and-half: This mixture of milk and cream works well. It keeps the soup creamy but with less fat. - Whole milk: You can use whole milk for a lighter version. It won’t be as rich, but still tasty. - Coconut milk: For a dairy-free option, use coconut milk. It adds a subtle sweetness and creaminess. These substitutes keep your soup flavorful without losing its comforting charm. This blog post covered how to make a creamy Italian meatball soup. You learned about the ingredients, from ground meat to fresh veggies. We went through step-by-step instructions for preparing meatballs and cooking the soup. I shared tips for perfect meatballs, flavor enhancement, and presentation. We also explored variations with different proteins and customization options. Enjoy making this meal your own. With the right techniques and choices, you'll impress everyone. Happy cooking!$

Warm up with a bowl of creamy Italian meatball soup that's packed with flavor! This easy recipe combines savory meatballs, fresh vegetables, and a rich creamy broth, making it the perfect comfort food for any season. In just under an hour, you can create a hearty meal that serves six. Click through to explore the step-by-step instructions and treat your taste buds to a delicious homemade experience!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups fresh spinach

Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter. You should yield around 20-24 meatballs.

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.

Carefully add the meatballs to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes, gently turning the meatballs occasionally until they are browned on all sides.

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and the diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 15-20 minutes, giving time for the flavors to meld beautifully.

Stir in the heavy cream and the fresh spinach, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the spinach has wilted and the soup has achieved a rich creamy texture.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Letzte Vorbereitungszeit: 20 mins | Gesamtzeit: 50 mins | Portionen: 6

- Präsentationstipps: Ladle the hearty soup into bowls, and garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese before serving. For a comforting meal, serve alongside slices of crusty bread to soak up the delicious soup.