Hearty Albondigas Soup
This Hearty Albondigas Soup is a delightfully rich and flavorful dish that combines tender meatballs and aromatic spices in a savory broth. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in, this soup is both satisfying and comforting. Made with a blend of ground chuck and pork sausage, infused with fresh basil and spices, and served over rice with a kick from green chili salsa, this recipe is sure to impress. Enjoy a bowl filled with delicious meatballs, vibrant tomatoes, and wholesome grains that warms the heart and soul. Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal that everyone will love.
10
Servings
320
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground chuck
1 lb (raw)
Pork sausage
1/4 lb (raw)
Onion
1, chopped (raw)
Egg
1, beaten (raw)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon, ground (to taste)
Garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Milk
1/4 cup (raw)
Fresh basil
1/4 cup, chopped (fresh)
Cornmeal
1/2 cup (raw)
Beef broth
6 (14.5 ounce) cans (canned)
Green chili salsa
7-10 ounces (canned or bottled)
Onion
1, chopped (for broth) (raw)
Canned tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can, crushed or diced (canned)
Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon, ground (for broth) (to taste)
Rice
1/2 cup (raw)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, combine the beef broth, green chili salsa, chopped onion, crushed or diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper over medium heat.
2
If using condensed beef broth, eliminate additional salt in the meatball mixture and instead use 5 cans of 10.5 ounces each of broth along with one quart of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
3
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the ground chuck, pork sausage, chopped onion, beaten egg, salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper, garlic powder, milk, chopped fresh basil, and cornmeal. Mix everything together until well-combined.
4
Using your hands, form the meat mixture into tiny, bite-sized meatballs.
5
Gently add the prepared meatballs to the simmering broth along with the uncooked rice. Stir carefully to incorporate them without breaking the meatballs.
6
Cover the pot and let it simmer very slowly for about 1 to 1.5 hours. The soup can be cooked longer for enhanced flavor, just ensure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7
Once the meatballs are cooked through and the rice is tender, serve hot. Enjoy your Hearty Albondigas Soup with crusty bread or a fresh side salad.
Nutrition Information
16g
Fat
24g
Carbs
20g
Protein
2g
Fiber
240mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Albondigas Soup?
Hearty Albondigas Soup is a rich and flavorful Mexican-style dish featuring tender meatballs made from ground chuck and pork sausage, simmered in a savory broth with aromatic spices, rice, and tomatoes.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What are the primary proteins in the meatballs?
The meatballs are made using a combination of 1 lb of ground chuck and 1/4 lb of pork sausage.
How many calories are in a single serving of this soup?
Each serving contains 320 calories.
What type of salsa is used in the broth?
The recipe calls for 7-10 ounces of green chili salsa to provide a subtle kick to the broth.
How long should the broth simmer before adding the meatballs?
The broth mixture should simmer for 20 minutes to allow the flavors of the onion, tomatoes, and spices to meld before adding the meatballs.
Is this Albondigas soup considered low cholesterol?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as a Low Cholesterol meal.
Can I use condensed beef broth instead of standard cans?
Yes, if using condensed broth, use five 10.5-ounce cans with one quart of water and eliminate the additional salt in the meatball mixture.
How many cans of standard beef broth are required?
The recipe requires 6 cans (14.5 ounces each) of beef broth.
What kind of tomatoes are used in the soup?
One 28-ounce can of crushed or diced tomatoes is used for the soup base.
What ingredients are used to bind the meatballs?
The meatballs are bound using a combination of a beaten egg, milk, and cornmeal.
What size should the meatballs be?
The meat mixture should be formed into tiny, bite-sized meatballs.
How long does the soup need to simmer after the meatballs are added?
The soup should simmer very slowly for about 1 to 1.5 hours after adding the meatballs and rice.
Can the soup be cooked longer than the recommended time?
Yes, the soup can be cooked longer to enhance the flavor, provided you stir it occasionally to prevent sticking.
What grains are included in the Albondigas soup?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of rice in the soup and 1/2 cup of cornmeal in the meatball mixture.
Is the rice cooked before being added to the pot?
No, 1/2 cup of raw, uncooked rice is added directly to the simmering broth.
How much sodium is in each serving?
There is 240mg of sodium per serving.
What dried herbs are used in the broth?
The broth is seasoned with dried basil and dried oregano.
Are fresh herbs used in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil is incorporated into the meatball mixture.
How many total ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 18 ingredients in total, including spices and pantry staples.
What are the recommended sides for this soup?
This soup is best served with crusty bread or a fresh side salad.
Does the meatball mixture contain garlic?
Yes, the meatballs are seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
What is the total fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 16g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 24g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this soup provide dietary fiber?
Yes, there are 2g of fiber per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 20g of protein.
Why is cornmeal used in the meatballs?
Cornmeal is used as a binder and to provide a unique texture to the Albondigas meatballs.
Should the pot be covered during the final simmer?
Yes, you should cover the pot and let it simmer slowly for 1 to 1.5 hours.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
No, the nutritional information indicates there is 0g or a negligible amount of sugar.
How are the onions prepared for this soup?
Two onions are needed: one chopped for the meatball mixture and one chopped for the broth.