Description
Hearty Italian meatball soup brings rustic comfort from Tuscany’s countryside, blending savory beef, aromatic herbs, and rich tomato broth. Warm, satisfying spoonfuls promise a delightful journey through classic Italian flavors you’ll savor with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb meatballs
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1.5 cups uncooked fusilli pasta
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped small
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn or chopped
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Craft meatballs using your preferred technique, ensuring they are uniformly shaped and ready for cooking. Alternatively, utilize pre-prepared or store-purchased meatballs.
- Warm olive oil in a substantial soup pot over medium-high temperature, creating a foundation for flavor development.
- Introduce chopped onions to the heated oil, gently sautéing until they transform into a translucent, soft texture, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for roughly 30 seconds, being cautious not to burn.
- Pour crushed tomatoes, beef broth, diced red bell pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes into the pot, creating a robust and flavorful liquid base.
- Carefully integrate the prepared meatballs into the liquid, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the soup.
- Elevate the heat to high, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil that will help meld the flavors together.
- Once boiling, add uncooked fusilli pasta, gently stirring to prevent the pasta from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Reduce heat to low, partially covering the pot to allow steam escape while maintaining moisture.
- Simmer the soup for approximately 15 minutes, periodically stirring to ensure even cooking and checking pasta tenderness.
- Monitor the soup’s consistency, adding additional beef broth if the liquid reduces too quickly or becomes overly thick.
- Introduce fresh basil, stirring gently to distribute the herb’s vibrant flavor throughout the soup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced and delicious profile.
- Ladle the piping hot soup into serving bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of richness.
- Serve immediately, inviting diners to enjoy the hearty and comforting Italian meatball soup.
Notes
- Make your meatballs ahead of time for quicker soup preparation, allowing flavors to develop and intensify before cooking.
- Choose lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier protein option without sacrificing rich taste and texture.
- Consider gluten-free pasta alternatives like chickpea or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the soup’s authentic Italian essence.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach or kale for boosted nutrition and a vibrant color palette in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg