Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe for Cozy Dinner Nights

Hearty and comforting, this Italian meatball soup brings warmth to your kitchen with every delicious spoonful.

Rich broth swirls around tender, perfectly seasoned meatballs that melt in your mouth.

Fragrant herbs dance through the liquid, creating a symphony of flavors that transport you straight to the countryside of Italy.

Packed with vegetables and protein, the soup offers a complete meal in one bowl.

Each bite tells a story of traditional cooking and lovingly crafted ingredients.

Simmering slowly, the soup develops deep, robust flavors that will make everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Get ready to savor a classic recipe that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Italian Meatball Soup

• Meatballs: Homemade or store-bought protein powerhouse that adds hearty texture and rich flavor to the soup.
• Beef Broth: Liquid foundation that infuses deep, savory notes and provides a robust cooking medium.

• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat that helps sauté vegetables and release their delicious essence.
• Onions: Flavor-building base that creates a sweet and savory undercurrent for the entire dish.
• Garlic: Aromatic punch that adds intense depth and traditional Italian character.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that brings authentic Mediterranean warmth and complexity.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice booster that adds exciting heat and zesty kick.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Vibrant sauce that creates rich, tangy background for the soup.
• Red Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetable that contributes sweet crunch and nutritional boost.
• Fusilli Pasta: Twisty noodles that capture broth and add delightful texture.
• Fresh Basil: Bright herb that provides fresh, aromatic finish and classic Italian touch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional garnish that delivers salty, nutty complexity.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance overall flavor profile.

Tools to Simmer Meatball Soup

• Large Soup Pot: Essential for cooking the entire soup and sautéing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for chopping onions, garlic, red bell pepper, and fresh basil.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing pasta from sticking.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring broth and crushed tomatoes.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Ladle: Useful for serving the hot soup into bowls.

Making the Best Meatball Soup

• Kitchen Warmup

Gather all your cooking tools and ingredients. Make sure your soup pot is clean and ready for delicious magic. Creating comfort food takes a little preparation.

• Onion Dance

Warm olive oil in a large pot and toss in chopped onions. Let them swirl and soften, releasing their sweet aroma. Stir gently until they become translucent and shimmery.

• Aromatic Boost

Drop minced garlic into the pot and let it quickly release its incredible fragrance. The kitchen will start smelling amazing within seconds.

• Liquid Foundation

Pour crushed tomatoes and rich beef broth into the pot. Watch the colors blend and swirl together, creating a deep red base for your soup.

• Flavor Build

Add colorful red bell peppers, Italian herbs, and spicy red pepper flakes. Toss in your meatballs and let everything get acquainted. Crank up the heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

• Pasta Moment

Sprinkle fusilli into the bubbling soup. These twisty noodles will soak up all the incredible flavors brewing in the pot.

• Gentle Simmer

Lower the heat and let everything mingle for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the pot, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the soup looks too thick, splash in some extra broth.

• Final Touch

Scatter fresh basil leaves on top. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into warm bowls and crown with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

Soup Variations for Italian Flavors

• Replace fusilli with other short pasta like rotini, penne, or small shells to add unique texture and visual appeal.
• Experiment with different meatball varieties like turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives to suit dietary preferences and add exciting flavor profiles.
• Enhance nutrition by tossing in extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added vitamins and color.
• Elevate the soup's richness by stirring in some cream cheese or dolloping ricotta on top just before serving for a luxurious, creamy twist.
• Adjust heat levels by increasing red pepper flakes or adding a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a spicier soup experience.

Serving Italian Meatball Soup

• Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty Italian meatball soup with crusty garlic bread or a warm ciabatta to soak up all the delicious broth and add extra texture to your meal.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle generous amounts of freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano cheese on top, letting it melt slightly into the hot soup for a rich, creamy finish.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Scatter some additional chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving to brighten the flavors and add a pop of vibrant green color to the rustic soup.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the robust flavors of the soup with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a light Sangiovese, which will enhance the tomato and meat notes of the dish.

Storing Meatball Soup the Way

• Batch Cooking Strategy: Prepare a double batch of this hearty soup and freeze portions for quick weeknight meals. Extra servings store beautifully in airtight containers for future enjoyment.
• Refrigerator Lifespan: Store leftover soup in sealed containers for 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and become even more delicious as they meld together in the refrigerator.
• Smart Reheating Technique: When reheating, add a splash of beef broth to restore the soup's original consistency. Warm gently on the stovetop to maintain the texture of meatballs and pasta.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: For best results, freeze soup without pasta for maximum quality. When ready to enjoy, thaw and add fresh pasta during reheating to prevent mushy texture and maintain perfect al dente noodles.

Hearty Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Hearty Italian meatball soup celebrates robust flavors from generations of Mediterranean cooking traditions. Rich broth, tender meatballs, and fresh vegetables combine for a comforting meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 pound meatballs
• 1 (28 fl oz / 794 g) can crushed tomatoes (fire roasted recommended)
• 1.5 cups fusilli pasta
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ red bell pepper, chopped small
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ cup fresh basil, torn/chopped
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high flame. Sauté onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, stirring rapidly to release its aromatic essence without scorching.
2. Liquid Foundation: Pour crushed tomatoes and beef broth into the pot, creating a vibrant liquid base. Incorporate diced red bell peppers, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes for depth and subtle heat.
3. Meatball Integration: Gently submerge prepared meatballs into the liquid, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil to harmonize flavors and ensure even cooking.
4. Pasta Immersion: Add fusilli pasta, allowing it to tumble among meatballs and vegetables. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, partially covering the pot to retain moisture and prevent liquid evaporation.
5. Final Touches: After 15 minutes, check pasta tenderness and adjust liquid consistency with additional beef broth if needed. Conclude by stirring in fresh basil, seasoning with salt and pepper, and serving hot with an optional Parmesan cheese garnish.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Chop all vegetables and measure ingredients before starting to streamline cooking process and ensure smooth execution.
• Meatball Magic: Use room temperature meat for more even mixing and better texture when forming meatballs, preventing tough or dense results.
• Flavor Layering: Toast Italian seasoning briefly in the pot before adding liquids to intensify and release deeper, more complex herb notes.
• Pasta Perfection: Add pasta towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente texture, absorbing just the right amount of flavorful broth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 50mg