Description
This creamy Italian meatball soup is everything you crave in a comforting one-pot meal—juicy meatballs, tender pasta, fresh spinach, and a velvety broth loaded with garlic, herbs, and tomatoes. Perfect for easy dinners, cozy lunches, or hearty leftovers, this easy recipe doubles as a cozy comfort food and a quick dinner idea. It’s one of those food ideas that works all year round. Great for anyone looking for a satisfying yet balanced option that tastes homemade and nourishing.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup uncooked small pasta (bow tie or shells)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil for browning meatballs
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, onion, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined.
2. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in size.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pot, sauté additional garlic and onion until fragrant.
5. Stir in crushed tomatoes and broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Add meatballs back to the pot and simmer for 10-12 minutes until fully cooked.
7. Stir in pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta.
8. Lower the heat, pour in the heavy cream, and stir gently to combine.
9. Add spinach and cook until just wilted. Adjust seasoning if needed.
10. Serve hot with fresh Parmesan and herbs if desired.
Notes
Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving for even richer flavor.
If freezing, leave out the pasta and add freshly cooked noodles when reheating.
Add red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 115mg