Savory Italian Meatball and Vegetable Soup
Warm up with this delightful Savory Italian Meatball and Vegetable Soup, a quick and easy one-dish meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe combines flavorful beef broth, tender meatballs, and assorted vegetables, enhanced with aromatic Italian seasonings and finished with a touch of Parmesan cheese. Serve this comforting soup with crusty bread for a satisfying family meal that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
beef broth
14 ounces (canned, undrained)
diced tomatoes
14.5 ounces (canned, with onion and garlic or Italian-style stewed)
water
1.5 cups (none)
Italian seasoning
0.5 teaspoon (crushed)
frozen Italian-style cooked meatballs
8 ounces (about 8 meatballs or homemade from the freezer)
small dry pasta
0.5 cup (such as ditalini or orzo (elbows are okay))
frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup (loose pack)
Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon (finely shredded or grated)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, combine the beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes (or stewed tomatoes), water, and crushed Italian seasoning. Stir well and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2
Once boiling, gently add the frozen meatballs, small dry pasta, and the frozen mixed vegetables to the pot.
3
Return the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and the vegetables are tender.
4
Remove from heat and ladle the soup into bowls. Top each serving with a sprinkle of finely shredded or grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this soup recipe?
The recipe is for Savory Italian Meatball and Vegetable Soup.
Is this soup easy to make?
Yes, it is described as a quick and easy one-dish meal, perfect for busy weeknights.
What are the main ingredients in this Italian meatball soup?
The main ingredients include beef broth, diced tomatoes, frozen Italian-style meatballs, small dry pasta, and frozen mixed vegetables.
Do I need to thaw the meatballs before adding them to the soup?
No, you can add the meatballs while they are still frozen.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Small dry pasta such as ditalini or orzo is recommended, though elbow pasta works as well.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer for approximately 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and vegetables are tender.
Can I use stewed tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes?
Yes, you can use canned Italian-style stewed tomatoes as an alternative.
Should I drain the diced tomatoes before adding them?
No, you should use the diced tomatoes undrained to add more flavor to the base.
What kind of broth is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 14 ounces of beef broth.
How much water is added to the soup base?
You should add 1.5 cups of water.
What seasoning provides the Italian flavor?
The recipe uses 0.5 teaspoon of crushed Italian seasoning.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is recommended to serve this comforting soup with crusty bread.
What type of cheese is used as a garnish?
The soup is topped with a tablespoon of finely shredded or grated Parmesan cheese.
How many meatballs should I include?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of meatballs, which is about 8 meatballs.
Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen ones?
Yes, you can use homemade meatballs that have been stored in the freezer.
What kind of frozen vegetables are best?
A loose-pack bag of frozen mixed vegetables is ideal for this recipe.
Do I need to cook the pasta separately?
No, the small dry pasta is cooked directly in the soup during the simmering process.
At what heat should I bring the broth to a boil?
Bring the broth and tomato mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
Yes, you should cover the saucepan while the soup simmers for 10 minutes.
What is the recommended amount of pasta?
The recipe uses 0.5 cup of small dry pasta.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is designed as a one-dish meal that minimizes cleanup.
Can I use tomatoes with onion and garlic?
Yes, diced tomatoes with onion and garlic are a great choice for this recipe.
What is the texture of the meatballs in the soup?
The meatballs become tender as they simmer in the broth.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 8 ingredients.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a satisfying family meal that everyone will love.
What category does this dish fall into?
It is categorized as a soup and comfort food.
How do I know when the soup is finished cooking?
The soup is ready when the pasta is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Can I use ditalini pasta?
Yes, ditalini is specifically suggested as a great choice for this soup.
What is the heat setting for the simmering stage?
Once the soup returns to a boil, reduce the heat to low for simmering.
How much Parmesan cheese should I use?
The recipe suggests using 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.