This creamy Italian meatball soup is a great twist on classic comfort food. It’s also easy to make and perfect for a cold winter day.
Making a homemade soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. It’s like getting a warm hug from a good friend. Not only can you control exactly what goes into your soup, but it tastes so much better than the canned varieties and doesn’t take long to prepare a big batch for the whole family.
This creamy Italian soup recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. It’s incredibly easy and quick, but still has that comforting home-cooked taste we all crave from time to time. I hope you enjoy this recipe just as much as we do.
This hot soup is even better the next day. Somehow the tons of flavor seem to blend together just a bit better.
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Make this a Keto Friendly Meatball Soup.
If you are looking for healthy recipes this soup is a great way to add healthy eating habits into your lifestyle. It’s an easy recipe that is hearty and filling. If you are doing the keto recipes, this is one for you. Just leave out the pasta. You are left with an amazing soup recipe that is full of nutrients.
Make Homemade Meatballs
You can make your own homemade Italian meatballs from scratch if you choose.
- one pound of lean ground beef
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
In a bowl, combine meatball ingredients and mix. Take the meatball mixture and make large or mini meatballs. I like to use a cookie scoop to help me form uniform meatballs. It seems for us that 1-inch or 2-inch balls are perfect for most recipes.
Time-Saving Tips.
Make a double batch of meatballs. Make mini meatballs for the soup and freeze one batch for the next recipe.
Use frozen meatballs for this recipe. I always have a few varieties in my freezer for busy weeknight meals. There are so many great options, Italian meatballs, chicken meatballs, beef and pork meatballs, or just beef meatballs all taste great in this recipe.
How to Make This Creamy Italian Meatball Soup
Simple and budget friendly ingredients are used to make this soup that is perfect for those chilly days. It has such a flavorful broth and hearty soups that filling are a winner in our house.
Meatballs. Today I made my own Italian meatballs. If you are using frozen meatballs, there is no need to brown meatballs. However, if you follow my recipe above and make your own, then go ahead and sear the meatballs in the soup kettle or Dutch oven on medium-high heat in two batches. Just drizzle some olive oil in the kettle and add half the meatballs.
Onion. The onion can be rough cut as it will cook up and caramelize nicely. Use any type of onion you prefer.
Water. Depending on what type of pasta you use and how thick or thin you like your soup broth to be, adjust the water as needed.
Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock Seasonings. If I have chicken broth on hand, I will use that first. However, if my stock is empty, I add chicken stock seasonings to water for a delicious tasting soup.
Rotini Pasta. There are so many hearty pasta options, go ahead and use the one you have on hand.
Fresh Veggies
Cauliflower Florets. This adds just the slightest bit of crunch and gets my family to eat their veggies too. However, you can add other fresh veggies that you enjoy too.
Spinach. Fresh or frozen spinach both work well in this creamy meatball soup recipe.
Heavy Whipping Cream. Make sure to use the heavy cream, not just milk. The milk tends to break apart and curdle and that will ruin the creamy texture of the soup. If you do not have any heavy cream, you could substitute a bit of cream cheese for a rich broth.
Cheese. I used a bag of shredded cheese today. It was a blend of Shredded Parmesan cheese, Asiago cheese, Monterey Cheese. Each one adds a distinct and delightful flavor.
Here is How to Make This Hearty Meatball Soup
In a large soup kettle, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 12 meatballs. Brown for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the meatballs and set aside. Repeat this step with the next 12 meatballs.
Add the diced onion and cook a few minutes until translucent.
Next add the water, chicken stock packet, better than bouillon seasoning, and the cooked meatballs. Cover and bring to a boil.
Then add the pasta, cauliflower, and spinach. Cover and cook another 10 minutes.
Add the heavy cream and shredded cheese blend. Stirring to incorporate while the cheese is melting. Turn the heat down and simmer until the pasta is done.
As the pasta expands it will soak up the water. You may need to add a bit more water if it gets too thick. Adjust the liquid as needed.
Storing This Soup
This soup will last in the refrigerator up to five days when stored in an airtight container. When you are ready to eat, I just scoop out enough for a bowl, pop it in the microwave and reheat for a few minutes. It is a perfect make ahead recipe for those busy weeknights and it is one of the family favorites to boot.
What to Serve with Meatball Soup
Of course any crusty bread goes well with this easy Italian meatball soup. Make this garlic bread in just a few minutes with any bread you happen to have available to you. Great addition to so many family meals.
These sausage and cream cheese bites
Find other delicious soup recipes.
Creamy Italian Meatball Soup
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
Homemade Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Creamy Italian Soup
- 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 24 Meatballs Fresh or Frozen, if using frozen no need to brown meatballs
- 1 Large Onion Diced
- 6 Cups Water
- 1 Chicken Stock Packet
- 2 Tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Chicken Stock
- 8 Ounce Rotini Pasta Uncooked
- 12 Ounces Cauliflower Florets
- 8 Ounces Spinach
- 1 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream
- 5 Ounces Cheese Shredded Parmesan, Asiago, Monterey Cheese Blend
text ingredients
Instructions
Homemade Meatballs
- In a bowl, combine meatball ingredients and mix. Take the meatball mixture and make large or mini meatballs. I like to use a cookie scoop to help me form uniform meatballs. It seems for us that 1-inch or 2-inch balls are perfect for most recipes. (Skip this step if using frozen meatballs).1 pound ground beef, 1 small onion, 1 egg, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup milk, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Meatball Soup
- In a large soup kettle, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 12 meatballs. Brown for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the meatballs and set aside. Repeat this step with the next 12 meatballs. (Skip this step if using frozen meatballs).4 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 24 Meatballs
- Add the diced onion and cook a few minutes until translucent.1 Large Onion
- Next add the water, chicken stock packet, better than bouillon seasoning, and the cooked meatballs. Cover and bring to a boil.6 Cups Water, 1 Chicken Stock Packet, 2 Tablespoons Better Than Bouillon Chicken Stock
- Then add the pasta, cauliflower, and spinach. Cover and cook another 10 minutes.8 Ounce Rotini Pasta Uncooked, 12 Ounces Cauliflower Florets, 8 Ounces Spinach
- Add the heavy cream and shredded cheese blend. Stirring to incorporate while the cheese is melting. Turn the heat down and simmer until the pasta is done.1 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream, 5 Ounces Cheese
- As the pasta expands it will soak up the water. You may need to add a bit more water if it gets too thick. Adjust the liquid as needed.
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Notes
Nutrition
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You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.