Description
A comforting Italian-American soup filled with tender meatballs, vibrant greens, and savory broth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if necessary)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or beef broth)
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Additional veggies like zucchini or bell peppers (optional)
- A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until just combined. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and set them aside on a plate.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil, and once hot, toss in the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté these veggies for about 5-7 minutes or until they start to soften.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, carefully add the meatballs to the pot in batches. Allow the meatballs to cook for about 10 minutes, ensuring they’re cooked through.
- Add the chopped spinach or kale along with the dried oregano and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let everything simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Before serving, squeeze half a lemon into the soup and stir gently. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Consider using rustic bowls or bread bowls for serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg