Hearty and full of flavour, this easy Italian meatball soup is the perfect comfort food for a chilly day. The rich tomato broth pairs beautifully with tender Italian-style meatballs to create an unforgettable soup the entire family will love.
It’s no secret I love comforting soups and stews. Living in Scotland means that I can pretty much enjoy a comforting bowl of goodness year-round. This easy Italian meatball soup is one of my favorite things to make when I’m torn between making a delicious soup or pasta (yet again!)
Making these hearty meatball soup in a rich tomato sauce means that I don’t have to choose. The combination of succulent Italian-style meatballs and pasta makes this soup incredibly satisfying, which means that you can serve it on its own.
However, you can transform dinner into a true feast by serving the meatball soup with a chunk of crusty bread. I sometimes make my trusty crispy focaccia to go with it.
Ingredients
For the meatballs
450 g (1 lb) ground beef (at least 15% fat)
2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried sage
½ teaspoon dried parsley
1 medium egg
25g (⅓ cup) grated Parmesan
30 g (1 ounce) breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Oil spray
For the soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 x 400 g (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 litre (4 cups) beef stock
1 tablespoon dried oregano
150 g (1 ½ cup) elbow pasta (or another type of short pasta)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
25g (⅓ cup) grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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