Description
This light and delicious Meatball Soup combines tender homemade meatballs with a hearty blend of vegetables, rice, and chicken broth. Perfect for a comforting meal that is both satisfying and nutritious, it balances savory flavors with wholesome ingredients for an easy-to-make soup that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb Ground Meat (pork and ground beef)
- 1 Egg
- 0.5 Onion, finely chopped
- ⅕ cup Parsley, minced
- ¼ cup Breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil (for browning)
Soup
- 3 Potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 Carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 4 cups Homemade Chicken Broth
- 6 cups Water
- ½ tsp Salt
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil (for sautéing vegetables)
- ¼ cup Rice
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Make Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, egg, finely chopped onion, minced parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated. Then roll the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides for 2 to 3 minutes. Note that the meatballs will finish cooking later in the soup, so avoid cooking them fully now. Remove browned meatballs from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, diced carrots, and diced potatoes. Cover the pot and let the vegetables sweat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until they soften.
- Cook Soup Base: Pour in the homemade chicken broth and water, then season with ½ teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and vegetables to cook through.
- Add Meatballs and Rice: Add the browned meatballs and rice to the simmering soup. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and fully cooked according to the package instructions, which typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Once the rice and meatballs are cooked through, ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting meatball soup.
Notes
- For a richer broth, use homemade chicken broth, but store-bought low-sodium broth can also be used.
- Adjust the size of meatballs to your preference but keep consistent to ensure even cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of water or add more potatoes.
- Brown the meatballs just enough to develop flavor, as they will fully cook in the soup.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to enhance aroma and presentation.
