Name: Hearty Meatball Soup with Pasta and Vegetables Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 slice soft bread (to make about ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs); ½ pound ground beef; ½ pound ground pork; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons oil; 2 large carrots (peeled and chopped); 2 ribs celery (finely chopped); 1 small onion (finely chopped); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 3 cloves garlic (finely minced); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes; 1 bay leaf; 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (28 oz or 798 ml); 1 Parmesan rind; 1 cup dry ditalini pasta; 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped); ½ cup marinara sauce

Ingredients

1 slice soft bread (to make about ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs)

½ pound ground beef

½ pound ground pork

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons oil

2 large carrots (peeled and chopped)

2 ribs celery (finely chopped)

1 small onion (finely chopped)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 cloves garlic (finely minced)

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon red chili flakes

1 bay leaf

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 can diced tomatoes with juice (28 oz or 798 ml)

1 Parmesan rind

1 cup dry ditalini pasta

2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)

½ cup marinara sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Tear the bread into small pieces and place them in a food processor or blender. Process until the bread forms fine crumbs.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently; avoid overmixing. Let the mixture rest for 10 to 20 minutes.

Step 3: Shape the mixture into 30 to 35 small meatballs, about 1 inch each, and arrange them on a large plate.

Step 4: Heat the oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meatballs and set aside. Keep the fat in the pot.

Step 5: In the same pot, add the carrots, celery, and onion. Cook over medium-high heat in the reserved fat for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.

Step 6: Stir in the tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, red chili flakes, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.

Step 7: Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with their juice, and Parmesan rind. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 8: Stir in the dry ditalini pasta and browned meatballs. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.

Step 9: Add the chopped spinach and marinara sauce to the soup. Stir gently to combine.

Step 10: Remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rind. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, use a mixture of fresh herbs like parsley and basil in the meatballs instead of dried Italian seasoning.

Swap the ground beef and pork for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

Gluten-free bread crumbs and pasta can be used to make this soup suitable for gluten sensitivities.

If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the red chili flakes or add a dash of hot sauce when serving.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a little water or broth to loosen the soup as the pasta may absorb liquid over time. This soup can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove.

FAQs

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the meatballs a day ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator. For even longer storage, freeze the formed meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Add frozen meatballs directly to the soup when cooking, increasing the cooking time as needed.

What can I use instead of ditalini pasta?

You can substitute ditalini with other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni, small shells, or orzo. Choose shapes that cook quickly and fit well in soup.