Italian Meatball Soup Recipe
This Italian Meatball Soup features tender meatballs, a flavorful tomato broth, and pasta. It’s a hearty, comforting soup that’s easy to make with either homemade or store-bought meatballs, perfect for a cozy family dinner!
Ingredients
- - 1 pound meatballs see note
- - 1 tablespoon olive oil
- - 1/2 medium onion chopped
- - 4 cloves garlic minced
- - 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (fire roasted preferred)
- - 4 cups beef broth
- - 1/2 red bell pepper chopped small
- - 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- - 1.5 cups uncooked fusilli pasta
- - 1/4 cup fresh basil torn/chopped
- - Salt & pepper to taste
- - Parmesan cheese for serving, optional
Instructions
- Prepare Meatballs: If using homemade meatballs, prepare them ahead of time (check notes for a recipe suggestion). Store-bought or frozen meatballs also work great. Ensure frozen meatballs are cooked through before serving.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Build the Soup Base: Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, red bell pepper, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and the meatballs. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Add Pasta: Once the soup is boiling, add the uncooked fusilli pasta. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly open. Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Adjust Consistency: If the soup becomes too thick, add more beef broth to keep it brothy.
- Finish: Stir in the fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use as many meatballs as you like depending on portion sizes and preference. Large homemade meatballs (about 12) or store-bought frozen meatballs work well.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of broth slightly.
- Serve with crusty bread or a green salad on the side for a complete meal.