The Heartwarming Meatballs and Vegetables Soup Recipe for Cozy Days

Crafting a hearty meatballs and vegetables soup brings comfort right to your kitchen table.

Aromatic herbs dance with tender meat chunks, creating a symphony of flavors.

Crisp seasonal vegetables add vibrant colors and nutritional punch to each spoonful.

Savory broth infuses every ingredient with rich, warming goodness.

Mediterranean cooking traditions inspire this simple yet satisfying meal.

Quick preparation meets delightful taste in this nourishing recipe.

Easy Meatballs and Vegetable Soup to Warm You Up

Boost Nutrition in One Pot: Packed with lean protein from ground beef and a rainbow of vegetables, this soup delivers a powerful nutritional punch for the whole family.

Create Comforting Memories: A hearty, warming dish that brings everyone together around the table with its rich, homemade flavors and soul-satisfying goodness.

Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn how to shape perfect meatballs, simmer a flavorful broth, and temper an egg yolk – all in one delightful recipe that builds kitchen confidence.

Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients based on what’s in your pantry, making this versatile soup adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients to Whip Up Meatballs and Vegetable Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein base that provides rich flavor and texture to the soup.
• Potato: Adds moisture and helps bind the meatballs together.
• Mint: Brings a fresh and aromatic herb element to the meat mixture.
• Cumin: Provides a warm and earthy spice note to the meatballs.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the meatballs.

• Onion, Carrot, Potatoes: Create a classic vegetable base that adds depth and nutrition to the soup.
• Tomato: Provides a tangy and slightly sweet undertone to the soup's flavor profile.
• Red Chili: Offers a subtle heat and extra complexity to the dish.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic flavor to the soup's base.
• Basil: Introduces a fresh and herbal note to the final dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding a smooth, rich base to the soup.
• Water or Stock: Creates the liquid foundation of the soup.
• Egg Yolk: Helps to thicken and enrich the soup's texture.
• Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Adds a bright and tangy element to balance the flavors.

Simple Instructions for This Hearty Soup

Step 1: Prepare Juicy Meatball Mixture

Mix ground beef with grated potato, fresh mint leaves, ground cumin, freshly cracked black pepper, and sea salt. Gently roll the mixture into small, uniform meatballs using your palms.

Set aside on a clean plate.

Step 2: Chop Vibrant Vegetables

• Onion
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Red chili pepper (optional)
• Ripe tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves

Mince the garlic cloves into tiny pieces.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until they become translucent and fragrant.

Introduce carrots, potatoes, red chili, tomatoes, and minced garlic. Stir and sauté for 2-3 minutes to develop deep flavors.

Step 4: Simmer Meatball Soup

Pour water or chicken stock into the pot, bringing the liquid to a rolling boil. Carefully drop the prepared meatballs into the bubbling broth.

Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the soup simmer gently for 25-30 minutes. Add additional liquid if the soup becomes too thick.

Step 5: Enhance Soup Flavor

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves into the pot, stirring to distribute evenly.

Step 6: Create Silky Soup Texture

Whisk egg yolk with a splash of lemon juice or white vinegar in a separate bowl. Gradually temper the egg mixture by slowly adding hot soup broth while continuously stirring.

This prevents the egg from scrambling. Pour the tempered mixture back into the soup pot.

Step 7: Serve Warm Comfort

Remove the soup from heat and ladle into warm bowls. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.

Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of homemade meatball vegetable soup.

Tips to Make Meatballs and Vegetables Pop With Flavor

• Mix meatball ingredients thoroughly to ensure even seasoning and flavor distribution throughout each bite.
• Add grated potato to ground beef for extra juiciness and lighter texture in meatballs.
• Keep soup at gentle low heat to prevent meatballs from becoming tough and maintain tender consistency.
• Gradually add hot broth to egg yolk while constantly whisking to create smooth, silky soup without scrambling.
• Allow soup to rest for 10 minutes after cooking to let flavors meld and develop deeper, richer taste profile.

Delicious Variations to Try in Your Soup

• Spicy Moroccan Style: Replace cumin with ras el hanout spice blend. Add harissa paste for extra heat and depth of flavor.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Substitute ground beef with lamb. Include oregano, parsley, and a splash of white wine for a Greek-inspired version.
• Light Chicken Variation: Use ground chicken instead of beef. Incorporate dill and lemon zest to create a fresher, lighter soup profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace meatballs with quinoa or lentil balls. Use vegetable stock and add extra herbs like thyme for rich umami flavor.

Pairings That Work Well With Meatballs and Vegetable Soup

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Complement the hearty meatballs and rich soup with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the soup's richness and enhances the meat's savory flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or country-style bread to soak up the delicious broth, adding texture and helping to make the meal more filling and satisfying.
• Match with Fresh Green Salad: Create a light side of mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's warmth and provide a crisp, refreshing contrast to the hearty meatballs.

How to Store Leftovers of Meatballs and Vegetable Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label containers with date and contents.
• Pour soup into a pot and warm over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water or stock if soup appears too thick. Heat until temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.

FAQs

• What makes the meatballs flavorful?

The grated potato helps bind the ground beef, while mint, cumin, black pepper, and salt create a rich, aromatic taste profile that elevates the meatballs’ overall flavor.

• Can I use different types of meat for the meatballs?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground lamb, turkey, or chicken depending on your preference and dietary needs.

• Is the egg yolk tempering step important?

Yes, tempering prevents the egg from scrambling and creates a creamy, smooth texture in the soup, adding richness and depth to the broth.

• How spicy is this soup with the red chili?

The red chili adds a mild heat that can be adjusted by removing seeds or using less chili, making it adaptable to different spice tolerances.

Easy Meatballs And Vegetables Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Meatball Vegetable Soup brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables with its rich, savory blend of tender meatballs and garden-fresh vegetables. Simmered slowly with aromatic herbs, this soul-satisfying soup will transport your senses to a cozy Italian kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 10 ounces (280 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 egg yolk

Herbs and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon mint, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon red chili, finely chopped (optional)
• 1/2 handful of fresh basil, finely chopped

Vegetables and Other Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup potato, grated
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 carrot (or 1 small), chopped
• 1 1/2 potatoes, chopped into small cubes
• 1 small tomato, blended or finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 45 cups water or stock (use more if needed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft compact meatballs by thoroughly blending ground beef with grated potato, mint, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Roll into uniform small spheres ensuring consistent size.
2. Meticulously dice onion, carrot, potatoes, red chili, tomato, and basil. Finely mince garlic to enhance flavor distribution.
3. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature. Sauté onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Incorporate chopped carrots, potatoes, red chili, tomato, and garlic. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to develop robust flavor profile.
5. Pour water or stock into the pot, raising heat to achieve a rolling boil. Gently introduce prepared meatballs, then reduce heat to low.
6. Simmer soup for 25-30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and meatballs to cook thoroughly. Periodically check liquid levels, adding more stock if necessary.
7. Evaluate soup’s seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper to taste. Fold in fresh basil for aromatic complexity.
8. Create silky texture by tempering egg yolk: whisk with lemon juice, gradually incorporating hot broth while stirring to prevent curdling.
9. Remove from heat, integrate tempered egg mixture, and serve immediately for optimal flavor and temperature.

Notes

• Grated potato acts as a natural binder, keeping meatballs tender and preventing them from falling apart during cooking.
• Experiment with different herbs like oregano or parsley instead of mint to customize the meatball flavor profile.
• Replace potato with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly meatball version that maintains moisture and texture.
• Gradually adding hot broth to egg yolk prevents curdling, creating a silky, creamy soup texture without scrambling the eggs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 195 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg