Best 2 Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipes

Indulge in the hearty flavors of Italy with our delectable Italian Meatball Soup, a culinary masterpiece that combines succulent meatballs, tender vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth. This comforting soup is not only a delightful meal but also a versatile dish that can be tailored to your preferences. Whether you prefer classic beef meatballs or crave a healthier alternative, our recipe offers options for both. For those with dietary restrictions, we provide a gluten-free version to ensure everyone can savor the authentic taste of Italy. Additionally, discover our vegetarian meatball variation, a delightful combination of wholesome ingredients that delivers a satisfying and flavorful experience. With step-by-step instructions and a detailed video guide, our recipe ensures a successful cooking journey. Embark on a culinary adventure and let the comforting aromas of Italian Meatball Soup fill your kitchen as you create a heartwarming meal for your loved ones.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

HEARTY MEATBALL STEW

Hearty Meatball Stew image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 slice white sandwich bread, torn into small pieces
8 ounces 20-percent-fat ground beef (about 8 ounces)
2 sweet mild Italian sausages, casings removed
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 egg
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound large white mushrooms, quartered
One 8 to 10-ounce russet potato, peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced into 1/3-inch slices
4 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut into 1-inch-long pieces

Steps:

For the meatballs: Place the bread and 3 tablespoons water into a medium bowl. Mash to a paste with a spatula. Add the beef, sausage, egg, parsley, salt and pepper. Blend the mixture thoroughly with your hands or a flexible spatula. Form the mixture into 10 to 16 meatballs. Arrange the meatballs on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until ready to use.
For the hearty meatball stew: Sprinkle the meatballs with the flour and turn to coat with any flour still on the foil. Heat a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Drop the meatballs into the skillet, spaced apart. Cook until the bottoms are set and brown, about 2 minutes. Using a flexible thin spatula, turn each meatball onto an uncooked side and cook until the bottoms are set and brown, about 2 minutes longer. Turn and cook a third side, until set and brown, about another 2 minutes, so the meatballs are browned and set all over. Transfer the meatballs to a large plate.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, peppers, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Cook until soft, 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and the remaining salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have softened, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, beans, tomatoes, red pepper flakes and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are tender and the meatballs are cooked through, about 20 minutes.

HEARTY MEATBALL SOUP

Hearty Meatball Soup image

A little bit of this thick and hearty soup goes a long way, so it's terrific to take to potlucks. My husband, Patrick, and I enjoy this on cold winter nights. -Janice Thompson, Lansing, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 1h5m

Yield 22 servings (5-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 large eggs
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground turkey
4 cups beef broth
1 can (46 ounces) tomato juice
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes
8 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
8 green onions, sliced
3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 teaspoons dried basil
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons soy sauce

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Crumble meat over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls. , In a stockpot, bring broth to a boil. Carefully add the meatballs. Add the tomato juice, tomatoes, vegetables, rice and basil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes., Add the parsley and soy sauce. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink and vegetables are tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 162 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 652mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 12g protein.

Tips:

Use a combination of ground meats. This will give your meatballs a more complex flavor. Ground beef, pork, and veal are all good options.
Don't overmix the meatballs. Overmixing will make them tough. Just mix until the ingredients are combined.
Brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the soup. This will help to seal in their flavor and prevent them from falling apart.
Use a good quality broth. The broth is the base of the soup, so it's important to use a good one. Look for a broth that is low in sodium and has a rich flavor.
Add vegetables to the soup. Vegetables will add flavor, nutrients, and color to your soup. Good choices include carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes.
Season the soup to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dollop of sour cream.

Conclusion:

This hearty Italian meatball soup is a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for a cold winter day. It's also a great way to use up leftover meatballs. So next time you have some extra meatballs on hand, give this soup a try. You won't be disappointed!