Creamy Italian Meatball Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty meatballs, creamy tomato broth, tender pasta, and fresh greens come together for ultimate comfort and warmth.

# Ingredients:

→ Meatballs

01 - 450 g ground beef or lamb
02 - 30 g breadcrumbs
03 - 30 g grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
07 - 0.5 tsp salt
08 - 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Soup Base

10 - 1 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 small onion, diced
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 2 celery stalks, chopped
14 - 410 g canned diced tomatoes (including juices)
15 - 960 ml chicken or beef broth
16 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
17 - 0.5 tsp salt
18 - 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
19 - 100 g small pasta, such as ditalini or elbow macaroni
20 - 120 ml heavy cream
21 - 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
22 - 30 g fresh spinach or basil leaves

# Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, gently mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and parsley until just combined.
02 - Roll the mixture into 2.5 cm balls and arrange on a tray lined with parchment paper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. In batches, brown the meatballs on all sides until golden, then set aside.
04 - In the same pot, add diced onion, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to release any caramelized bits from the pan and bring to a gentle boil.
06 - Return the browned meatballs to the pot. Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
07 - Stir in the pasta and cook until al dente. Lower heat, then slowly add heavy cream and grated Parmesan, stirring to blend with the broth. Add spinach or basil, stirring until wilted.
08 - Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with extra grated cheese and accompany with crusty bread if desired.

# Notes:

01 - For a gluten-free variation, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta.
02 - Substitute kale for spinach or basil for a heartier texture.
03 - Browning meatballs before simmering enhances depth of flavor.

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