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A bowl of pasta meatball soup with noodles, topped with parsley and accompanied by olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

How to Make the Perfect Pasta Meatball Soup for Any Season

Pasta Meatball Soup is a hearty Italian-inspired dish perfect for any season. It combines tender meatballs, savory pasta, and a rich tomato-based broth with fresh vegetables and herbs. This versatile recipe takes about 40–50 minutes to prepare and can be customized with gluten-free, dairy-free, or plant-based options. Each serving is approximately 450–550 calories, offering a nutritious and comforting meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Essential Components:
  • Pasta: 1 cup small shapes like ditalini, orzo, or elbow macaroni
  • Meatballs: 16 small or 8 medium meatballs beef, turkey, or plant-based
  • Broth: 6 cups chicken, beef, or vegetable broth
Seasonal Vegetables:
  • Carrots: 2 medium diced
  • Celery: 2 stalks chopped
  • Onion: 1 medium finely diced
  • Zucchini optional: 1 small, diced
Herbs and Spices:
  • Garlic: 3 cloves minced
  • Dried basil: 1 teaspoon
  • Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon or to taste
  • Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped (for garnish)
Optional Ingredients for Variations:
  • Cheese: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for topping
  • Plant-based meatballs: Substitute for regular meatballs
  • Spinach or kale: 1 cup chopped (add near the end of cooking)

Method
 

Preparing and Seasoning the Meatballs
  1. Combine ground meat (beef, turkey, or plant-based) with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Roll into bite-sized balls (around1 inch in diameter).
  3. Brown the meatballs in a large pot with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Remove and set aside.
Cooking the Vegetables and Creating the Soup Base
  1. In the same pot, pour 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  2. Sauté 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks until softened (about 5 minutes).
  3. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Stir in 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1 teaspoon dried basil for extra flavor.
Simmering the Broth and Adding Pasta and Meatballs
  1. Pour in 6 cups of broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable) and 1 can (14 ounces) of diced tomatoes.
  2. When it starts boiling, lower heat to a simmer.
  3. Add the meatballs to the pot and cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in 1 cup of pasta and cook until tender (follow package instructions, typically 8–10 minutes).
Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor Balance
  1. Add more broth or water if needed. You don’t want your soup to be too thick
  2. Taste seasoning before serving. Add salt and pepper if needed.
  3. Garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan for a finishing touch.