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Creamy Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 66 reviews

This Creamy Italian Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish, featuring tender meatballs simmered in a savory broth enriched with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, and small pasta. It’s perfect for a warm and satisfying meal with the rich flavors of Italian seasoning and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauté Base

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Soup Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 3/4 cup small pasta (like ditalini or orzo)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 lb fully cooked meatballs (homemade or store-bought)

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauté aromatics: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring the base is flavorful.
  2. Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and drained diced tomatoes. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil to initiate cooking of the soup base.
  3. Add pasta and seasoning: Once boiling, stir in the small pasta and Italian seasoning. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. This step allows the pasta to cook and absorb the flavors of the broth.
  4. Simmer until pasta is tender: Reduce heat slightly and simmer the soup uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender but not mushy, giving the soup its hearty texture.
  5. Incorporate cheese, spinach, and meatballs: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh spinach, and fully cooked meatballs. Continue simmering for another 5–7 minutes, allowing the meatballs to heat through and the spinach to wilt, enriching the soup with creamy and fresh flavors.
  6. Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired, for a bright and flavorful finish.

Notes

  • Use small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo for best texture and distribution in the soup.
  • If you prefer a lower fat option, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the soup will be less creamy.
  • Fully cooked meatballs can be homemade or store-bought for convenience.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace meatballs with plant-based meatballs and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: Italian meatball soup, creamy meatball soup, easy meatball soup, Italian soup recipe, hearty soup, meatball pasta soup

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/creamy-italian-meatball-soup-recipe/