Meatball-Spinach Soup
A hearty meatball and spinach soup packed with savory flavors, vegetables, and tender meatballs, perfect for comforting family meals or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix ground beef or turkey, egg, bread crumbs, chopped onion, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and seasoned salt together.
- Form the mixture into very small meatballs, about one bite each.
- Sauté the meatballs in a skillet or microwave on a bacon rack for 4 minutes until cooked through, then drain excess fat.
- Add beef broth, chopped celery, chopped onion, chopped carrots, chopped garlic, and bay leaves to a pot and bring to a boil.
- Simmer the soup until vegetables are tender, about 20-25 minutes.
- Add the cooked meatballs and chopped spinach to the soup and cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding Italian herbs like oregano or basil to the meatball mixture. If you're short on time, pre-cooked meatballs can be used instead. For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey with lean ground chicken. If you want more greens, feel free to add kale or Swiss chard alongside the spinach. This soup is a great way to use leftover vegetables, making it a versatile dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Meatball-Spinach Soup with crusty bread for a hearty meal. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese on top adds a nice finishing touch. It pairs beautifully with 3 Bean Bake With Chili Biscuits for a comforting dinner. For a complete experience, consider a side salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the soup.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover 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, or use a microwave in short bursts. If you plan to freeze the soup, store the meatballs and broth separately to maintain the best texture when reheating later.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meatball-Spinach Soup contains roughly 953 calories, with 41g protein, 162g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), iron (175% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (172% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2311mg per serving (100% 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
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
If your soup turns out too thick, simply add more beef broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning accordingly after adding liquid to maintain the flavor balance. This soup is forgiving, so don't hesitate to tweak it to fit your preference.
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).