Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
- 1 whisked egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves (for meatballs)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 chopped carrots
- 2 chopped celery stalks
- 1 chopped bell pepper
- 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves (for vegetables)
- 5 to 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 (28 ounce) can peeled tomatoes with juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pasta (such as small shells or ditalini), amount as desired
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, whisked egg, Parmesan, bread crumbs, oregano, paprika, chopped parsley, 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 tablespoons each. Arrange on a lightly oiled sheet pan and broil for 5 to 8 minutes until browned.
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add chopped onion, carrots, celery, bell pepper, and 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add broth, canned tomatoes with juice, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer over medium to medium-high heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Add the browned meatballs and pasta to the pot. Cook until pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in remaining chopped parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
Broiling the meatballs before adding them to the soup helps develop a rich flavor and keeps them tender. Adjust the pasta quantity based on your preference for soup thickness. Fresh parsley added at the end brightens the dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Method: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg