🍲 Creamy Italian Meatball Soup A hearty, comforting soup filled with tender meatballs, vegetables, pasta, and a creamy Italian-style broth. Perfect for a cozy dinner and great with crusty bread. 🇮🇹 🕒 Time Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: 4–6 🧾 Ingredients For the Meatballs 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage ¼ cup breadcrumbs ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp chopped parsley ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper ½ tsp Italian seasoning For the Soup 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 carrots, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 6 cups chicken broth 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or small shells) 1 tsp Italian seasoning ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste) ½ tsp black pepper 1 cup heavy cream 2 cups fresh spinach ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 👩🍳 Instructions 1. Make the Meatballs In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix gently and roll into small meatballs (about 1 inch). 2. Brown the Meatballs Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown meatballs for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove and set aside (they will finish cooking in the soup). 3. Cook the Vegetables In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. 4. Build the Soup Pour in chicken broth and add Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil. 5. Add Pasta & Meatballs Add pasta and browned meatballs. Simmer 10–12 minutes until pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through. 6. Make It Creamy Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Cook 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts. 7. Serve Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top. 🍽️ Serving Suggestions Garlic bread Crusty artisan bread Simple green salad 💡 Tips ✔ Use Italian sausage instead of beef for extra flavor. ✔ Add potatoes instead of pasta for a heartier soup. ✔ Stir in ½ cup cream cheese for an extra rich broth.
