Description
Hearty Italian Meatball Soup beckons with robust flavors that dance across Mediterranean kitchens, delivering comfort in each spoonful. Simmering with tender meatballs, aromatic herbs, and rich broth, this soul-warming dish invites you to savor authentic Italian culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound meatballs
Vegetables:
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
Base and Seasonings:
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked fusilli pasta
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn or chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare meatballs in advance, either homemade or using store-bought options for a quicker meal preparation.
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat, sautéing chopped onions for 4-5 minutes until they become translucent and soft.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic flavors without burning.
- Pour crushed tomatoes and beef broth into the pot, incorporating chopped red bell pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes for depth of flavor.
- Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Introduce uncooked fusilli pasta and prepared meatballs to the boiling liquid, immediately reducing heat to low.
- Simmer the soup covered with a slightly open lid for approximately 15 minutes, gently stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Adjust soup consistency by adding extra beef broth if the mixture becomes too thick.
- Incorporate fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an authentic Italian touch.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ground meat with a fat content around 20% for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during cooking.
- Make meatballs ahead of time and freeze them for quick meal preparation, saving precious cooking time on busy weeknights.
- Experiment with alternative pasta shapes like orzo or small shells if fusilli isn’t available, ensuring the pasta complements the hearty soup texture.
- For gluten-free options, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free varieties and use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs in meatball preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 213 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg