Mediterranean🥣 Soups & stews

Italian Meatball Soup

Name: Italian Meatball Soup
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1½ lb lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey; 1 egg; ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan; 1/3 cups unseasoned bread crumbs; 1 tbsp dried oregano; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 1 cup fresh parsley leaves; 3 garlic cloves, minced; ~3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; ~1 tsp kosher salt; ~½ tsp black pepper; 1 onion, chopped; 2 carrots, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 5 cups beef, chicken, or vegetable broth; 28 oz canned peeled tomatoes with juices; ¾ cups small pasta like ditalini or small shells, uncooked; ~¼ tsp red pepper flakes

⏱ 45 min

A comforting soup featuring tender Italian-style meatballs simmered in a savory tomato broth with fresh vegetables. The meatballs are first broiled until lightly browned, then finished cooking in the broth while infusing the soup with rich flavor. Small pasta can be added for extra heartiness, or omitted for a low-carb option.

Low-carb

Adapted from a video by The Mediterranean Dish

Italian Meatball Soup Recipe | Easy Meatball Soup!

Watch on YouTube

Ingredients

lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey1½ lb
egg1
freshly grated Parmesan½ cup
unseasoned bread crumbs1/3 cups
dried oregano1 tbsp
sweet paprika1 tsp
fresh parsley leaves1 cup
garlic cloves, minceddivided; reserve some for the soup

Steps

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1
In a bowl, combine ground meat, minced garlic, egg, freshly grated Parmesan, bread crumbs, oregano, paprika, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Put on food-grade gloves and mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
2
Lightly brush a baking sheet with olive oil, then form the meat mixture into balls and arrange them on the sheet.
3
Place the baking sheet under the broiler and broil for about 5 to 7 minutes until the meatballs are lightly browned on the surface. They should not be fully cooked at this stage—just lightly browned.
4
In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm olive oil. Add the chopped onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and stir frequently, allowing the vegetables to soften for about 5 minutes.
5
Pour in the broth and the canned tomatoes with their juices. Add oregano and paprika to season. Stir well to combine.
6
Bring the soup to a boil. Add the uncooked small pasta (about 3/4 cup), if desired. You can omit the pasta entirely for a low-carb version.
7
Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Carefully add the broiled meatballs to the pot. Allow the soup to return to a gentle simmer.
8
Simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes until the pasta is tender, the meatballs are cooked through, and the soup thickens slightly.
9
Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if desired for heat.

Italian Meatball Soup

Ingredients

Steps

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