Description
This Quick Italian Meatball Soup is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender frozen Italian meatballs simmered with fresh vegetables, diced tomatoes, and flavorful Italian seasoning in a savory broth, it comes together in just 30 minutes. Topped with grated Parmesan and fresh basil, this soup offers rich Italian flavors in a simple, one-pot meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs and Broth
- 1 lb frozen Italian meatballs
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup zucchini, diced
- 1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the Broth: In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil over medium-high heat to prepare the base for the soup.
- Add Vegetables: Once boiling, add the sliced carrots, chopped celery, and diced zucchini to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften, enhancing their flavors without losing texture.
- Add Meatballs: Add the frozen Italian meatballs along with the diced tomatoes and their juices to the pot. Stir in the Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste, distributing flavors evenly.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to heat through completely and the vegetables to become tender.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh or frozen spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, just until the spinach wilts, adding a fresh green element to the soup.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired, providing a delicious and aromatic finish.
Notes
- You can substitute frozen meatballs with fresh or homemade meatballs if preferred.
- Use vegetable broth to make this soup vegetarian-friendly, or chicken broth for a richer flavor.
- Feel free to add other vegetables of choice such as bell peppers or peas for more variety.
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium broth and canned tomatoes without added salt.
- For a thicker soup, mash some of the diced tomatoes before adding them to the pot.
