Mama Bonomo'S Meatball Soup
A hearty meatball soup featuring flavorful beef meatballs, tender vegetables, and savory broth, perfect for comforting family dinners and chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground round ⓘ
- 1 egg, slightly beaten ⓘ
- 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons water ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon parsley ⓘ
- 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can beef broth ⓘ
- 1 large can tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 1 envelope (1 3/8 oz.) dry onion soup ⓘ
- 2 cups sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped celery tops ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix ground round, egg, bread crumbs, salt, water, and parsley thoroughly.
- Make 1-inch meatballs from the mixture.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet with a small amount of butter, if desired, until browned on all sides.
- Drain the meatballs and set aside.
- In a pot, combine beef broth, undrained tomatoes, dry onion soup, sliced carrots, chopped celery tops, chopped parsley, pepper, oregano, and basil.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
- Add the browned meatballs to the soup and cook until vegetables are tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, use fresh herbs instead of dried ones for a more vibrant flavor. If you don't have ground round, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted. For a gluten-free option, replace bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives or oats. Adjust the seasonings to your taste, and don't hesitate to add more vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for added nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mama Bonomo's Meatball Soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Jiffy Beef Cornbread Bake for a hearty dinner. Garnish with extra parsley for a fresh touch and consider offering grated Parmesan cheese on the side for added flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover meatball soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens, you may need to add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mama Bonomo'S Meatball Soup contains roughly 537 calories, with 46g protein, 63g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (215% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (93% of the Daily Value), and protein (92% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 658mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking. This can enhance the flavors. Alternatively, you can freeze uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months, then cook them directly from frozen in the soup.
What can I use instead of beef broth?
If you're looking for a lighter option, chicken broth or vegetable broth can be used as a substitute for beef broth. This will slightly alter the flavor but will still result in a delicious soup.
How can I make the soup spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños into the soup. You can also use spicy sausage in place of some of the ground round for added flavor and kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).