Description
This hearty Italian Meatball & Orzo Soup combines tender homemade meatballs with flavorful vegetables, tender orzo pasta, and fresh spinach in a savory tomato and chicken broth base. Perfect for a comforting meal any day, this soup is rich in taste and easy to prepare on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Additional Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into small meatballs, approximately the size of a tablespoon each, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove browned meatballs and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped onion, diced celery, and sliced carrots. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Add Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes with their juice. Stir in dried Italian seasoning and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer Meatballs: Return browned meatballs to the pot. Allow the soup to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, ensuring the meatballs are fully cooked through.
- Cook Orzo: Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Spinach: Incorporate fresh spinach into the soup, stirring until wilted and evenly distributed.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with lean turkey or chicken.
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The soup can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give the soup a subtle spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian soup, meatball soup, orzo soup, comfort food, homemade meatballs, easy soup recipe
