Italian Meatball Soup Spinach (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Meatball Ingredients
01 -
450g minced beef or a mix of beef and pork
02 -
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
05 -
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
06 -
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
07 -
2 garlic cloves, chopped finely
08 -
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
09 -
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
→ Soup Ingredients
10 -
4 cups chicken or beef stock
11 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 -
1 small onion, chopped small
13 -
2 celery sticks, diced
14 -
2 garlic cloves, diced
15 -
1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes
16 -
1 teaspoon Italian spice blend
17 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
18 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
19 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
20 -
1 cup small pasta like elbow macaroni or ditalini
21 -
1/2 cup heavy cream
22 -
1 cup fresh spinach or basil, chopped small
→ Toppings You Can Add
23 -
Fresh parsley or basil, minced
24 -
Extra Parmesan cheese
25 -
Red chili flakes for a kick
# Instructions:
01 -
In a large bowl, toss together the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian spices, salt, and ground pepper. Mix lightly with your hands to keep it fluffy, then shape into 1-inch meatballs. Place them aside.
02 -
Warm up a big pot or Dutch oven on medium. Add olive oil, then let the meatballs cook for 2-3 minutes per side till they're golden. Take them out and put them aside for later.
03 -
In the same warm pot, toss in the onion, celery, and garlic. Stir it all around for 3-4 minutes till soft and fragrant.
04 -
Pour in the diced tomatoes and broth. Toss in salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then stir gently. Carefully add the browned meatballs back in, covering the pot to simmer for 15 minutes.
05 -
Mix in the small pasta and let it bubble away until it's perfectly soft, about 8-10 minutes.
06 -
Turn the heat down. Slowly mix in the heavy cream and Parmesan, letting them warm through for just a couple of minutes.
07 -
Stir in the spinach or basil until it wilts into the soup. Taste and tweak the flavor if needed. Scoop into bowls and top with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan as you like.