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Creamy Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

Creamy Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

4.9 from 14 reviews

Creamy Italian Meatball Soup is a hearty and comforting one-pot meal combining tender meatballs, small pasta, and baby spinach in a rich tomato-infused broth finished with heavy cream. This flavorful soup balances robust Italian seasonings with creamy texture to create a satisfying dish ideal for cold nights or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauté Base

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Soup Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 3/4 cup small pasta (ditalini or orzo)
  • 1216 small cooked meatballs (homemade or frozen)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups baby spinach
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Sauté Onion: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes.
  2. Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
  3. Add Broth and Marinara: Pour in the chicken broth and marinara sauce, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Cook Pasta: Add the small pasta to the pot and cook for 7-8 minutes, until it is almost al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Add Meatballs: Gently stir in the cooked meatballs and allow the soup to simmer for 5 more minutes to heat the meatballs through and meld flavors.
  6. Stir in Cream: Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes without boiling to incorporate the cream evenly into the soup.
  7. Add Spinach: Add baby spinach to the pot and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute, stirring gently.
  8. Season and Serve: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream.
  • Homemade meatballs add a fresh flavor, but frozen pre-cooked meatballs save time.
  • Use gluten-free small pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
  • This soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
  • Adding extra vegetables like diced carrots or zucchini can enhance nutrition and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Italian Meatball Soup, Italian meatball soup, creamy tomato soup, one pot soup, comfort food, easy dinner, hearty soup, pasta soup