Homestyle Hearty Meatball Soup: A Bowl of Comfort (Print Version)
Hearty Meatball Soup brings warmth and flavor to any table. My simple recipe, packed with tender meatballs and veggies, is pure comfort in a bowl.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American (Comfort)
Dietary: Meat-based
# Ingredients:
→ For the Meatballs
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
02 -
0.5 lb ground pork (or more beef)
03 -
0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 -
1 large egg
05 -
0.5 tsp dried oregano
06 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
07 -
1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
→ For the Soup Base
08 -
1 tbsp olive oil
09 -
1 large yellow onion, chopped
10 -
2 carrots, chopped
11 -
2 celery stalks, chopped
12 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
13 -
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
14 -
6 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
15 -
1 cup ditalini pasta (or small pasta of choice)
→ Flavor Boosters & Finishing Touches
16 -
0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
17 -
0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
18 -
Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
19 -
Optional: Red pepper flakes for a little kick
# Instructions:
01 -
Okay, get a big bowl, hon. Gently mix your ground beef and pork with the panko, egg, a little salt, pepper, and a pinch of dried oregano. Don't overmix, that’s my biggest tip! Overworking the meat makes them tough, and nobody wants a tough meatball. I swear, I used to just mash everything together, and my meatballs were like little rubber balls. Aim for a light touch, like you’re fluffing a pillow!
02 -
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Carefully roll your meat mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs – about 1-inch in diameter. Brown them in batches, turning them gently until they're golden on all sides. You’re not cooking them through, just getting that lovely crust. This step adds so much depth to the soup; I used to skip it to save time, and honestly, the flavor suffered.
03 -
Once the meatballs are seared, take them out and set them aside. In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed, then toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes, until they’re softened and the onion is translucent. The smell at this stage? Divine! It’s the foundation of almost every good soup. This is where the kitchen starts to smell like home.
04 -
Now, stir in your minced garlic and cook for just a minute until fragrant – don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made too many times, and burnt garlic is not fun. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth, then bring everything to a gentle simmer. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot; that’s pure flavor, friends! Let it bubble gently for about 15 minutes to let those flavors meld together.
05 -
Once the broth has had some time to develop, carefully add your seared meatballs back into the pot. Then, stir in the ditalini pasta. Continue to simmer the Hearty Meatball Soup for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Keep an eye on it! Mushy pasta is a no-go, and I've overcooked it more times than I care to admit when I get distracted.
06 -
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in your fresh chopped parsley and basil. Give it a taste and adjust any seasonings – maybe a little more salt or pepper? Ladle this glorious soup into bowls. It should look rich, smell incredible, and taste like pure comfort. I love seeing the little green flecks against the red broth, it just screams "eat me!"
# Notes:
01 -
Don't overmix your meatballs; a light hand prevents them from becoming tough little rocks.
02 -
If you’re making this ahead, cook the pasta separately and add it to individual bowls to avoid mushiness.
03 -
Ground turkey works as a substitute, but might need extra seasoning or a touch of milk to stay tender.
04 -
Always serve with a good crusty bread for dipping, it just feels right!
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
02 -
large mixing bowl
03 -
wooden spoon
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 450-500 kcal
Total Fat: 25-30g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-35g
Protein: 30-35g