This simple and delicious meatball soup recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. With hearty meatballs, flavorful broth, and vegetables, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. It is lightly seasoned with Italian spices in a tasty, beefy, rich tomato broth.
This delectable, tender meatball soup combines onions, carrots, celery, and green beans with Italian seasonings in a rich tomato-beef broth, featuring homemade meatballs and mini Farfalle Pasta. This soup is a complete meal, but sometimes I like to serve it with a garden salad and cheese garlic bread.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Ground beef: Use beef with a bit of fat in it for flavor
- Breadcrumbs: Italian, unseasoned, or homemade
- Olive oil: Substitute with vegetable oil or canola oil
- Beef broth: Use low-sodium or beef stock
- Tomato sauce: canned or homemade
- Small pasta: Any small pasta or noodle will work, such as mini farfalle, ditalini, acini de pepe, or orzo.
How To Make Meatball Soup
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
- Make the meatball mixture and roll it into meatballs. Brown them in a skillet or bake them in the oven.
- Cook the onions, carrots, celery, and green beans until the onions and celery are soft. Add the spices and cook for another minute or so.
- Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, and fire-roasted tomatoes, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Add the pasta and cooked meatballs and simmer until the pasta is tender.
Preparation Tips
- Canned, fire-roasted tomatoes are charred over an open flame before being diced and canned. You can find them at your local grocery store, along with other canned tomatoes.
- Brown the meatball for added flavor and caramelization.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese to each soup bowl for added flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Substitute ground chicken, pork, or turkey for the ground beef. They all make delicious meatballs. Substitute chicken broth if you are using ground chicken or ground turkey.
I prefer fresh veggies, but frozen ones work as well. Just add them to the simmering soup.
Save time with frozen premade meatballs, or make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. There is no need to thaw them. Just drop them in the simmering broth, frozen.
More Soup Recipes
Meatball Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1½ lbs ground beef
- ¼ cup finely minced yellow onions
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup Italian or plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Meatball Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 large carrots peeled and chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 1 ½ cups green beans trimmed and cut in one inch segments
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 6 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
- ¾ cup Mini Farfalle pasta
- chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gently mix the ground beef, minced yellow onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire Sauce, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl. Using a 1½-tablespoon scoop for equal proportioning, roll the meatballs and place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and brown them. Work in batches and do not crowd the pan. Add more oil if needed. Remove the meatballs to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- 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 the parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Increase the heat to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer. Let everything simmer for about 7-10 minutes. Stir in the pasta and browned meatballs, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Serve it promptly, so the pasta does not overcook.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze, first cool to room temperature. Then spoon into freezer zipper bags, removing as much air as possible. Remember that liquid expands as it freezes, so do not fill the bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
- For best results, if you freeze or store any of this soup for later consumption, remove the portion you will save before adding the pasta. Hold back a proportionate amount of pasta and add it when you reheat the soup.
Nutrition
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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