Description
A rich and comforting soup that blends tender meatballs, delicate pasta, fresh vegetables, and a velvety tomato-cream broth. Perfect for quick dinners, cozy nights, or hearty weekend meals. This easy recipe brings the flavors of an Italian kitchen straight to your table, making it one of the best dinner ideas when you want something satisfying yet simple.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion diced
2 celery stalks diced
2 carrots diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups short pasta (ditalini, macaroni, or small shells)
2 cups fresh spinach or kale roughly chopped
1 tsp dried basil or 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Extra grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until just combined. Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches for 4–5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
3. Add onion, celery, and carrots to the same pot. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
4. Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and tomato sauce. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom.
5. Return meatballs to the pot and simmer for 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
6. Stir in pasta and cook until al dente. Add spinach or kale during the last few minutes.
7. Lower heat, stir in heavy cream, and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
8. Taste, adjust seasoning, garnish with basil and Parmesan, and serve hot.
Notes
Use half beef and half pork for extra juicy meatballs.
Swap heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
Sprinkle Parmesan during simmering for deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy soup, italian meatball soup, comfort food, dinner ideas, easy recipe