Meatball Pasta Soup
A hearty and comforting meatball pasta soup packed with flavorful vegetables, tender meatballs, and pasta, perfect for a family dinner or cozy weekend meal. The savory tomato base is enhanced with herbs and spinach, offering a balanced mix of rich flavors and nutritious ingredients.
Ingredients
- favorite meatball recipe ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1 carrot, diced ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 (28 oz.) plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) tomato paste ⓘ
- 3 c. water ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. rosemary ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 c. twist macaroni ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped spinach ⓘ
- grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make small 1-inch meatballs with your favorite recipe.
- Cook meatballs in a Dutch oven until browned and cooked through.
- Remove meatballs and set aside.
- In the same Dutch oven, cook chopped onions, diced carrots, and chopped celery in vegetable oil until vegetables are tender.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in plum tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, basil, rosemary, and pepper.
- Add water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Return the cooked meatballs to the soup and stir in pasta.
- Cook uncovered for 10 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves and discard.
- Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade meatballs like those from the Sunday Best Meatballs In Mushroom Sauce recipe. If you're short on time, pre-made frozen meatballs work well too. Feel free to substitute the twist macaroni with any pasta shape you have on hand, such as ditalini or orzo, to suit your preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty meatball pasta soup with a slice of crusty bread for dipping or a light side salad to balance the meal. A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or basil can elevate the presentation. For a comforting dessert, consider pairing it with Lillian's Pecan Pie for a delightful finish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water or broth if the soup has thickened. This soup also freezes well for up to 3 months; just be sure to separate the pasta if you plan to freeze it.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meatball Pasta Soup contains roughly 758 calories, with 14g protein, 83g carbohydrates, and 44g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (136% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (42% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2646mg per serving (115% 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 this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily adapt this soup to be vegetarian by using vegetable broth and substituting meatballs with plant-based alternatives. There are many vegetarian recipes available for meatballs that would work well in this soup.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat to your soup, consider incorporating crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while simmering. You can also add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the vegetable mixture for an extra kick.
What can I use instead of plum tomatoes?
If plum tomatoes are unavailable, you can substitute them with diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes. Just ensure to adjust the consistency by adding a bit more water if necessary, as different types of tomatoes can vary in thickness.
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).