Savory Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup Delight
Indulge in the heartwarming and rich flavors of Savory Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup Delight, a delightful meal perfect for any cozy occasion. This soul-satisfying soup unites tender mini meatballs with a medley of vibrant vegetables, comforting beans, and wholesome pasta, simmered to perfection in a fragrant broth. The slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, resulting in an even more delectable taste if enjoyed the next day. Pair with crusty garlic bread to elevate your dining experience. Whether you prepare the meatballs a day ahead or freeze them for later use, this soup is a wonderful recipe to have in your culinary repertoire, ensuring warmth and comfort in every bowl.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
26
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
3-4 tablespoons (none)
Garlic
2-3 tablespoons (fresh minced)
Onions
2 medium (chopped)
Dried oregano
2 teaspoons (none)
Crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (optional)
Celery
1 stalk (diced)
Carrots
4 (peeled and sliced)
Tomato paste
2 tablespoons (none)
Chicken broth
4 cups (can use beef broth)
Tomato sauce
4 cups (for richer flavor, use crushed tomatoes)
Kidney beans
1 (14 ounce) can (drained)
Green beans
1 (10 ounce) can (drained)
Fresh spinach
2 cups (chopped and rinsed)
Zucchini
2-3 medium (sliced thick or coarsely chopped)
Cooked small shell pasta
any amount desired (cooked)
Parmesan cheese
1/3-1/2 cup (grated, more for sprinkling)
Salt
to taste (none)
Black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Extra lean ground beef
1/2 lb (or half beef and pork)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Green onion
1 (finely chopped, white part only)
Egg
1 (slightly beaten)
Dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons (none)
Grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons (none)
Seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon (or white salt)
Fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, chopped green onion, beaten egg, dry breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
2
Shape the meat mixture into 3/4-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to add them to the soup.
3
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Stir in the chopped onions, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent.
5
Add the diced celery, sliced carrots, and tomato paste to the pot. Sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes, using a wooden spoon to stir frequently.
6
Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce, followed by the kidney beans, green beans, spinach, and zucchini. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7
Gently add the uncooked meatballs to the soup. Allow the soup to return to a simmer, without stirring, for at least 20 minutes.
8
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. After about 30 minutes of cooking, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
9
Once simmered to perfection, stir in the cooked small shell pasta and 1/3 to 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently to heat through, adding more cheese if desired.
10
Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup Delight?
It is a heartwarming and rich soup that combines tender mini meatballs with a medley of vibrant vegetables, comforting beans, and wholesome pasta in a fragrant broth.
What ingredients are needed to make the mini meatballs?
The meatballs consist of extra lean ground beef, minced garlic cloves, finely chopped green onion, a beaten egg, dry breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, seasoning salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
Can I use a different type of meat for the meatballs?
Yes, the recipe notes that you can use a combination of half beef and half pork if you prefer.
What is the ideal size for the meatballs in this soup?
The meat mixture should be shaped into 3/4-inch balls.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before adding them to the soup?
No, the uncooked meatballs are added gently to the boiling soup and allowed to cook through during the simmering process.
Can the meatballs be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate them, or even freeze them for later use.
How long should I sauté the garlic and onions?
Sauté the minced garlic for 2 minutes, then add the onions and cook for about 4 minutes until they are translucent.
What vegetables are included in this minestrone recipe?
The soup includes celery, carrots, kidney beans, green beans, fresh spinach, and zucchini.
Can I use beef broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, while the recipe calls for chicken broth, you can substitute it with beef broth if desired.
How can I make the soup have a richer tomato flavor?
For a richer flavor, the recipe suggests using crushed tomatoes instead of standard tomato sauce.
What is the total simmering time for the soup?
After adding the meatballs and letting them set for 20 minutes, the soup should be covered and simmered for 1.5 to 2 hours.
When should I add the cooked pasta to the soup?
The cooked small shell pasta should be stirred in once the soup has finished its long simmer, just before serving.
Is the soup better the next day?
Yes, the slow cooking allows ingredients to meld beautifully, often resulting in a more delectable taste when enjoyed the next day.
How do I prevent the meatballs from breaking apart?
When you first add the uncooked meatballs, allow the soup to return to a simmer for at least 20 minutes without stirring.
What kind of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
Small shell pasta is recommended for this minestrone.
When do I add the Parmesan cheese?
Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking, and sprinkle extra on top of individual servings.
Can I make this soup spicy?
Yes, you can include 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes during the sautéing stage for added heat.
What part of the green onion should be used for the meatballs?
The recipe specifies using the white part of the green onion, finely chopped.
What should I serve with Savory Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup?
It is best paired with crusty garlic bread to elevate the dining experience.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be peeled and sliced before being added to the pot.
Is the spinach added fresh or cooked?
Fresh spinach is used; it should be chopped and rinsed before being added to the soup base.
Can I use regular salt instead of seasoning salt for the meatballs?
Yes, the recipe allows for white salt as a substitute for seasoning salt.
How much olive oil is needed for sautéing?
You will need 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
How should the zucchini be sliced?
The zucchini should be sliced thick or coarsely chopped.
When should I season the soup with salt and pepper?
Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste after about 30 minutes of simmering.
How much ground beef is required for the meatballs?
The recipe requires 1/2 lb of extra lean ground beef.
What beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one 14-ounce can of kidney beans and one 10-ounce can of green beans, both drained.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a family-friendly, soul-satisfying meal perfect for any cozy occasion.
How many garlic cloves are in the meatball mixture?
Two minced garlic cloves are mixed into the meatballs.
Do I need to use tomato paste?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste are sautéed with the vegetables to add depth to the broth.