Comforting Meatball and Vegetable Soup
This Comforting Meatball and Vegetable Soup is my ultimate cold-weather favorite! It’s a rich, hearty blend of tender homemade meatballs and a medley of vibrant vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth. The warmth and depth of flavor make it perfect for family dinners, especially when paired with crusty bread for dipping. Despite the long list of ingredients, the recipe is straightforward and rewarding, ensuring you enjoy every spoonful of this wholesome one-dish meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1 1/2 lbs (raw)
Egg
1 (slightly beaten)
Soft Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Chopped Parsley
1 tablespoon (fresh)
Minced Garlic
1 teaspoon (none)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Butter
2 tablespoons (none)
Beef Broth
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can (none)
Diced Tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (or tomato puree)
Dry Onion Soup Mix
1 envelope (none)
Sliced and Peeled Carrots
2 cups (fresh)
Diced Potatoes
2 cups (raw)
Chopped Celery
1/4 cup (optional)
Chopped Parsley
1/4 cup (fresh garnish)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Oregano
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
Basil
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
Bay Leaf
1 (none)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, beaten egg, soft breadcrumbs, salt, chopped parsley, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese. Add 3 tablespoons of water to mix everything together.
2
Gently mix the ingredients until just combined to avoid tough meatballs, then shape them into about 24 small meatballs.
3
In a large Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium heat. Add meatballs in a single layer and sauté until they are browned on all sides, cooking in batches if necessary. Remove the meatballs and set them aside.
4
In the same Dutch oven, combine 2 cups of water, the beef broth, diced tomatoes, onion soup mix, sliced carrots, diced potatoes, chopped celery (if using), pepper, oregano, basil, and bay leaf.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover, allowing it to simmer for 30 minutes while stirring occasionally.
6
After 30 minutes, return the browned meatballs to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld.
7
Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional parmesan cheese if desired. If the soup appears thick, add water to achieve your preferred consistency.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Comforting Meatball and Vegetable Soup?
It is a rich, hearty blend of tender homemade meatballs and a medley of vibrant vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth, perfect for cold weather.
What type of meat is used for the meatballs?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of raw ground beef to create the meatballs.
How many meatballs does this recipe produce?
The mixture should be shaped into approximately 24 small meatballs.
What ingredients are needed to make the meatballs?
You will need ground beef, one slightly beaten egg, soft breadcrumbs, salt, fresh chopped parsley, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, and a little water.
How do I prevent the meatballs from becoming tough?
To avoid tough meatballs, gently mix the ingredients together until they are just combined rather than overworking the meat.
Why is water added to the meatball mixture?
Three tablespoons of water are added to help mix all the ingredients together effectively.
How should the meatballs be cooked initially?
The meatballs should be sautéed in butter in a Dutch oven until they are browned on all sides before being set aside.
What kind of broth is used for the soup base?
The recipe uses one 10 1/2 ounce can of beef broth combined with water and tomato juices.
Can I use tomato puree instead of diced tomatoes?
Yes, the recipe allows for either one 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes or tomato puree.
What is the purpose of the dry onion soup mix?
The dry onion soup mix is used as a convenient way to add deep savory flavor and seasoning to the broth.
Which vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup includes sliced and peeled carrots and diced raw potatoes.
Is celery a required ingredient?
No, 1/4 cup of chopped celery is listed as an optional ingredient.
What herbs and spices season the broth?
The broth is seasoned with pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and a bay leaf.
How long does the soup simmer before adding the meatballs back?
The vegetable and broth mixture should simmer covered for 30 minutes while stirring occasionally.
How long do the meatballs cook once returned to the pot?
Once the meatballs are returned to the pot, the soup should continue to simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes.
How can I tell when the soup is finished cooking?
The soup is ready when the vegetables are tender and the flavors have fully melded together.
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
If the soup appears too thick, you can add more water to achieve your preferred consistency.
What are the recommended garnishes for this soup?
It is recommended to garnish the soup with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated parmesan cheese.
What can I serve with this meal?
This soup pairs perfectly with crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful broth.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is described as a wholesome one-dish meal containing both protein and vegetables.
Can I use frozen meatballs for this recipe?
While the recipe provides instructions for homemade meatballs, you could use frozen ones to save time, though the flavor profile may change.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, meatball and vegetable soups often taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 19 ingredients listed in the recipe, including garnishes and optional items.
Does the recipe require fresh or dried herbs?
It uses fresh parsley for the meatballs and garnish, while oregano and basil are used in their dried form.
What cooking equipment is needed?
A large mixing bowl for the meatballs and a large Dutch oven for cooking the soup are the primary tools needed.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy as it includes various fresh vegetables and lean ground beef.
Should the carrots be peeled?
Yes, the ingredient list specifies using peeled and sliced carrots.
What kind of cheese is best for this soup?
The recipe specifically recommends grated parmesan cheese for both the meatballs and the garnish.
Is there a specific way to prepare the potatoes?
The potatoes should be diced into bite-sized pieces before being added to the broth mixture.
What category of food does this fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a soup, comfort food, and a hearty dinner option.