This family-friendly tasty Meatball Soup is a cinch to make using frozen or fresh ground beef meatballs and a handful of fresh-cut vegetables. It is lightly seasoned with Italian spices in a tasty beefy tomato broth. This soup is a complete meal but is also delicious served with Best Cornbread Recipe or Easy Sweet Maple Dinner Rolls.
If your family is anything like mine, then many delicious, comforting soup recipes are a must. At this time of the year, a big bonus goes to easy and quick recipes. This delectable tender meatball soup combines onions, carrots, celery, and green beans with Italian seasonings in a rich tomato beef broth with Italian meatballs and mini Farfalle Pasta. The end result is a taste tantalizing experience for you and your family that is prepared in less than 40 minutes.
How do you make Meatball Soup?
First, heat a little olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy stockpot or Dutch oven. Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and green beans. Cook for about 7-8 minutes or until slightly soft and fragrant. Now add the spices and continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, and meatballs. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer. Let everything simmer for about 7-10 minutes. Finally, add the pasta and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve promptly, so the pasta does not overcook.
Recipe notes and helpful tips for Meatball Soup
- You can use fresh or frozen turkey, beef, pork, or chicken meatballs. They all taste good in the soup.
- I prefer fresh vegetables but frozen can be used in a pinch.
- Substitute chicken broth if you using ground turkey.
- Canned fire-roasted tomatoes are tomatoes that are charred over an open flame before they are diced and canned. They can be found at your local grocery store with other canned tomatoes.
- If you are going to freeze or store any of this soup for later consumption, remove the portion you will save for a later date before adding the pasta. Hold back a proportionate amount of pasta and add it when you reheat the soup.
- Any small pasta will work like Mini Farfalle, ditalini, acini de pepe or orzo.
- For added flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese to each soup bowl.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More delicious soup recipes you will love!
Meatball Soup
This delicious Meatball Soup Recipe brings meatballs and pasta together with onions, carrots, celery, and green beans in a hearty beef broth that has been perfectly seasoned with Italian spices. This quick and easy soup recipe comes together in less than 40 minutes, making this a great weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: soup
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 large carrots peeled and chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 1 1/2 cups green beans trimmed and cut in one inch segments
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 6 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounce) fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 1/4 lbs fresh or frozen meatballs
- 3/4 cup Mini Farfalle pasta (ditalini, acini de pepe or orzo)
- fresh parsley, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large heavy stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and green beans. Cook for 7-8 minutes or until slightly soft and fragrant. Add parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, and meatballs; simmer for 7-10 minutes. Add the pasta and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve promptly.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen turkey, beef, pork, or chicken meatballs. They all taste good in the soup.
- I prefer fresh vegetables but frozen can be used in a pinch.
- Substitute chicken broth if you using ground turkey.
- Canned fire-roasted tomatoes are tomatoes that are charred over an open flame before they are diced and canned. They can be found at your local grocery store with other canned tomatoes.
- If you are going to freeze or store any of this soup for later consumption, remove the portion you will save for a later date before adding the pasta. Hold back a proportionate amount of pasta and add it when you reheat the soup.
- Any small pasta will work like Mini Farfalle, ditalini, acini de pepe or orzo.
- For added flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese to each soup bowl.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keywords: chicken meatball soup, easy meatball soup, how to make meatball soup, Italian meatball soup, Italian meatball soup recipe, meatball soup, soup, meatball soup recipe, meatball vegetable soup, pork meatball soup
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Catherine Stephenson
Can you add potatoes and corn to this?
Beth Pierce
Yes you sure can. Sorry about the delay. It has been so busy lately!
Mary Strahan
Made this in the crockpot and it was delicious! I did not have the fire roasted tomatoes so used regular diced and worked great. Served it on top of Italian bead.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Mary! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Chandra
Just made this and it is delicious. I used frozen corn and green beans. I added broccoli and Lipton onion soup mix. I used both homestyle and Italian meatballs. This will become one of my go to soups
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Chandra! So glad that you like it and thanks for the tips!
Clario
What an easy and great soup! I did start by browning the meatballs so I would have the drippings to cook the vegetables for extra flavor. When adding the tomato sauce and fire roasted tomatoes I added a half a cup of red wine to deepen the flavor. Loved it that when I added the pasta the soup thickened to perfection. Thanks for sharing. I know this will be a favorite.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Clario! I am so happy that you liked it! Thanks for the great tips!
Kellie
What a great cool night meal. I doubled the recipe to feed my large family and we all loved it.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kellie! So glad that everyone liked it!
Cassandra
Can this soup go in the crockpot and cook on low all day??
Beth Pierce
Yes, but you will need to do you will have to do the first step in the skillet and the pasta can not be in there all day. About 30 minutes before serving turn the slow cooker to high and add the pasta.
Christian Foremost
Ive been cooking for myself for some time now and this is something that I’d definitely like to try! Looks absolutely delish!
May
Oh my! That meatball soup is making my mouth water. I was looking at the ingredients including the spices and I can almost taste it while I go through them — the celery, the basil…yummy! I will definitely try this, the fam will love it.
★★★★★
Rose Ann Sales
This is one of my favorite soup recipes and so darn easy to prepare. I think I make it every other week.
Fransic verso
Wow this look so good. I’ve tried meatballs before but never tried this one before. Thank you for sharing!
briannemanzb
Such a great meatball soup! The whole family really enjoyed it! We will make this again.
★★★★★
Cinny
That does sound pretty delicious! I’ll have to try this next weekend.
Sienna
I absolutely love a hearty (and easy) soup like this for fall. Something that warms you up on the inside, is easy to make/clean up and thanks to the meatballs and pasta is super filling!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sienna! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Krysta Browning
Woke up to the sound of rain and decided to make this soup. I had a leftover ham hock so I used that broth instead of what your recipe called for and that was the only adjustment I made. It was so good and filling. Made some cheddar biscuits. Yum
★★★★
Beth Pierce
Sounds like my kind of meal. I am happy that you liked it!
Tina
This recipe is AWESOME!! I use snow peas instead of greenbeans. It’s sooo good!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tina! So glad that you like it!!
Erin
I made this almost exactly like the recipe. My intention was to not stray. I used turkey meatballs. Once I started adding salt to taste I added too much so I added 2 more cups of beef broth. And I used up the leftover cup of rice I had left in the fridge instead of the pasta. Amazing!!! Thank you for the recipe. It’s sure to go into my book of saved recipes!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Erin. So glad that you liked it. I bet it is delicious with rice.
Melynda Traube
I sautéed the veggies and added the spices and then put it in the crockpot along with the tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes and my beef broth. I used the better then bouillon roasted beef base and then my frozen meatballs. Cooking on low for about 4 1/2 hours then I will add the pasta. The broth tastes amazing and my kitchen is smelling delicious . Thanks for the great recipe.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine and thanks for the great tips for the crockpot. My readers and I appreciate it.
Keri
Absolutely delicious! Super easy and quick. Definitely will be making this again! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Keri! So glad that you like it. The pleasure is all mine!
Kathleen A Cantisano
Can you use raw meatballs or do they have to be pre-cooked?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can but bring to a low boil and cook for 12-13 minutes to make sure they are cooked through. They will float to the top.
Diane
Yummy soap! Can anyone please tell me if this soap, fully cooked with pasta be frozen? Do the noodles ho funky?
Looking to .make simple meals for my 91 year old mother-in-law. Thank you in advance 😀
Beth Pierce
For best results, slightly undercook the noodles if freezing.
Brenda Woodward
Do you cook the pasta first & add or let pasta cook in the soup?
Beth Pierce
The pasta cooks in the soup.
Danny
When using frozen meatballs, do you cook them before adding them in or put them in directly?
Beth Pierce
No. Just drop them in there frozen.
Brian Ramm
Awesome-my Dad loved it! Went heavy on everything as he is more of a stew guy than soup. Will be plenty of leftovers for the week….
Beth Pierce
Thanks Brian! So glad that your Dad loved it!
Ann Budzak
If using frozen meatballs do you thaw them first or throw them in frozen?
Beth Pierce
Just throw them in frozen.
Margie
My husband loves this soup.
Beth Pierce
That is great!
Carol G.
Very good and filling. I didn’t use low-sodium beef broth so it was a little salty. And I couldn’t find small farfalle so I used regular size and it sucked up all the broth. Ugh! Next time I will use ditalini or orzo, very small pasta. Overall a very good recipe.
★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Carol! Glad that you liked it!!
Sharyl
Great recipe – a favorite with my family
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you enjoy it!
Mrs J
I can’t use commercial prepared beef broth & I don’t have any homemade. Could I use water & Worcestershire sauce instead?
Beth Pierce
Can you use commercially prepared stock?
Pam Griffith
I made this yesterday. Delicious
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Pam! So glad that you liked it!
Tawny Walkowiak
Is the pasta cooked before or when added to the soup mixture?
Beth Pierce
Added to the soup mixture
Nancy
Can this be done in a crock pot
Beth Pierce
Yes you can with frozen meatballs. If fresh meatballs they need to be browned and fully cooked before putting in the crock pot.
Dannii
Now this is my kind of comfort food. Packed full of vegetables too.
★★★★★
Dana Sandonato
This soup! It’s like Italian Wedding soup got a glow up! I love the inclusion of all the veggies. So hearty and healthy and perfect for this time of year when you just want to curl up with a filling bowl of soup.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Dana! Enjoy!!
Tavo
I love this recipe! It has become a family favorite, making it today again!
★★★★★
Ana F.
Never thought of using frozen meatballs but this recipe just made my weeknight dinners much easier! The dish turned out delicious and everyone loved it. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Sharon
This meatball soup is so hearty and full of good for you vegetables. The perfect meal for the colder months.
★★★★★
Neely Moldovan
Oh this meatball soup sounds so good! Totally going to try this!
Ntensibe Edgar
Wow…I just want this for lunch and supper today! Pasta and meatballs put together must slap different. Thanks for sharing about it.
Kristy Bullard
This is delicious! I made it with gluten-free noodles (because I have an allergy) and it’s a perfect fall soup!
★★★★★
Nkem
This looks like a delicious meal! I think it’s probably very flavorful too.
★★★★★
Ivana Mearns
This looks truly delicious. I made broth with liver dumplings before but have never thought of making meatball soup with a bit of pasta… until now! A great idea, thank you !
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Ivana! Enjoy!
Elise Ho
My family loves to have soup. Therefore it is great to see some new recipes. Thank you.
Rose Ann Sales
I love meatball soup, I’ll probably just add the volume of the vegetables here to make it more healthy. Thanks for the recipe.
Elizabeth O
I tried this with Cornbread Recipe as you suggested. It was perfect!
★★★★★
briannemanz
I love this recipe. What other vegetables I can add to it?
★★★★★
Alita Pacio
I love meatball soup. I’d use some frozen turkey for this
★★★★★
Ave
What a perfect dish for those cold autumn and winter days. I like that you can make this in a crockpot too. Have to give this recipe a try soon.
Elizabeth Hedricm
Can this be done in a crockpot?
Beth Pierce
Yes! Start by browning the sausage. When it is almost fully browned add the onion and cook until the sausage is done browning and the onion has softened. Turn the heat to low and add the garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme and crushed red pepper Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Transfer to a crock pot.
In a small bowl whisk the tomato paste with about 1/2 cup beef broth. Add the vegetable broth, remaining beef broth, fire roasted tomatoes and thinned out tomato paste to the crock pot. Cook on low for about 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Increase temperature to high. Then add the tortellini cooking for about 30 minutes or until tender. Add the arugula and cook for about 10 minutes. Finally ladle into bowls and top with 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese.
Belinda Smith
For the meatballs, if I used fresh, do they need to be fully cooked prior to adding to recipe?
Beth Pierce
I would brown them and cook them most of the way. I like the texture and it helps keep the meatballs intact.
Okie Domer
Made this soup and it was delicious. I omitted green beans and added more carrots.
Helen
How do you stop your pasra from soaking up all the juice afterwords with left overs
Beth Pierce
Pull your leftovers before you add the pasta. Then add the pasta to your leftover soup when you reheat it.
Laura Stenhouse deal
Could I use kale instead of green beans
Beth Pierce
Yes you can!!
Holly rheachel Woods
If using raw meat how do you make your meat balls
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You can follow the meatball section of this recipe here. If desired substitute ground beef for the ground turkey.
Tina
Just want to question, do you cook your pasta prior to adding to the soup?
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
No the pasta cooks right in there
JOAN
What could I use instead of beans? I hate beans!
Looks so good can hardly wait to try but need your thoughts in leaving beans out?
Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Just omit them or add a little more of the other vegetables.
Angela
I used zucchini instead of green beans it was delicious. Definitely a redo soup.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Angela! So glad that you liked it!
Katherine Kevens
Do I cook the frozen Meatballs first?
Beth Pierce
No you do not.
Mary
Can this be made in an instant pot? Thanks. Apologies if this was already asked.
Beth Pierce
I am sure that I can but I do not use my instant pot enough to give you directions. Perhaps one of the readers can. Here is an interesting article that I found.
Victoria Behrenwald
I’m going to make the meatball soup this Sunday.
Beth Pierce
I hope you enjoy it Victoria!
Tammy Newkirk
I’d like to try this! This sounds really yummy and so easy to make! Can you post a recipe for the meatballs too?
Merry Kim
My dear friend Sue brought a pot of this soul-warming soup to us as my husband recovers from knee replacement surgery. It has healing power!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it! Thank Sue for me too. I sure hope your husbands recovery is quick and pain free.
Kathy
Can’t find the the fire roasted tomatoes? Any suggestions for substitute?
Beth Pierce
Canned diced tomatoes
Joanna
This sounds so amazing, it almost sounds like my turkey soup … I’m definitely going to try this one thank you 😃
Beth Pierce
Thanks Joanna! I hope that you enjoy it!!
Mark
Do you cook your pasta prior to adding it or add it uncooked ??
Beth Pierce
No I do not.
Ellen Sharp
Excited to make this tonight! My question, do I unthaw the meatballs or add frozen? Thank you!!
Beth Pierce
Just add them frozen. Once they simmer a little bit they will be fine.
Rachael
Do you add the meatballs raw or already cooked?
Beth Pierce
Add them raw. There is plenty of simmering time to cook them through.
Nancy
Can I make thos in a crockpot?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can
Beth
Wow! This is the perfect hearty meal prepared in only 40 minutes!! I love soup year round!
★★★★★
Jennifer
This soup was absolutely delicious!
★★★★★
Sara Welch
This is my kind of comfort food! Tried this for dinner tonight and it has easily become a new favorite dinner recipe!
★★★★★
Laura Reese
This soup was so delicious and hearty. I’ll be making it again for sure.
Julie Blanner
Love this! Such an easy recipe and was so filling. I know this is going to become a regular!
★★★★
Lee
This looks really good — can you tell me how much is 1 serving? Is it 1 cup or 1.5 cups? I appreciate it (I’m attempting to determine the counts for 21 day fix)
Beth Pierce
It is closer to 2 1/4 cups per person give or take a little bit.
Amanda
This is a family favorite! Even my picky eater loves it!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Meatball Soup looks incredibly delicious!
★★★★★
Toni
This is so good! Such a comforting meal for my family!
★★★★★
Haley D Williams
What a great soup! I want a big bowl for dinner tonight! You used my favorite pasta!
★★★★★
Cathy
Such a heart soup… I love it!
Dorothy Reinhold
This hearty soup is sure to be a huge hit with my crew. This looks delicious!
Sara Welch
Love soup season for recipes just like this one! Served this for dinner last night and it has easily become a new family favorite recipe! Looking forward to leftovers for dinner again tonight!
★★★★★
Linda
I made this last night since I was snowed in. We really enjoyed this. Will keep the recipe & make it many more times. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Linda! So glad that you liked it I love a good hot pot of soup in the winter especially when snow is predicted.
Sheri l Greco
No recipe for the meatballs : (
Beth Pierce
Sorry I do have other meatball recipes I just have not had the time to write up a separate meatball recipe for the blog in general. French Onion Meatballs
Carol Barnes Smith
Just use 1 or 2 ibs. ground beef and mix with garlic pepper ( I use a lot because I like it) then shape in small bite-sized balls. I brown mine before I put in the soup mixture,
Toni
My family is NUTS for this recipe! Perfect for our snowy weather right now.
★★★★★
Catalina
Meatball soup is a favorite in our house! I should try it!
★★★★★
Allyson Zea
Looks like the perfect winter dinner! I can’t wait to try it!
Sara Welch
Such a hearty and flavorful recipe! Perfect way to warm up on a cold day; delicious!
★★★★★
Erin
This family friendly tasty Meatball Soup looks so good!
★★★★★