Mini Meatball Soup

Mini Meatball Soup Recipe from Italy - Delicious and Flavorful

Region / culture: Italy | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Mini Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. This soup is packed with flavorful meatballs, vegetables, pasta, and spinach, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

History

Mini Meatball Soup has been a popular dish in Italian cuisine for many years. It is a classic comfort food that is loved by many for its rich flavors and heartwarming qualities.

Ingredients

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb (454 g) ground beef, pork and veal combined
1 egg, beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
0.5 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano or romano cheese, a couple of handfuls
0.5 cup plain bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
0.5 tsp freshly grated or ground nutmeg
6 cups chicken stock or broth
2 cups water
1.5 cups dried pasta, rings, broken fettuccine or ditalini
1 lb (454 g) triple washed fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

How to prepare

In a deep pot over medium heat, add oil, chopped carrots, celery, onions, and bay leaves.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cover the pot and cook the vegetables for 5 or 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the vegetables cook, combine meat, egg, garlic, grated cheese, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Uncover your soup pot and add broth and water to it.
Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.
When the soup boils, reduce the heat a bit and start rolling the meat mixture into small balls, dropping them straight into the pot.
You are making meat dumplings that will cook in the broth.
When you are done rolling the meat, add pasta to the soup and stir.
Cover and simmer the soup for 10 minutes.
When the pasta is tender, stir in chopped spinach in batches.
When the spinach has wilted into the soup, the soup is done and ready to serve.
Adjust your seasonings.
Serve the soup with crusty bread or Grilled 4-cheese Sandwiches.

Variations

Use ground beef or turkey instead of veal for the meatballs.
Add diced tomatoes or beans for extra texture and flavor.
Swap out the spinach for kale or Swiss chard.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to season your vegetables well as they cook to build a flavorful base for the soup.

- Rolling the meatballs into small, bite-sized balls will ensure they cook evenly and quickly in the broth.

- Stir in the spinach at the end of cooking to preserve its vibrant color and fresh flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Mini Meatball Soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Cooking Techniques

Simmering the soup allows the flavors to meld together and develop a rich taste.

- Rolling the meatballs by hand ensures they are evenly sized and cook through properly.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use chicken broth instead of beef broth for a lighter flavor.

- Substitute Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese for the grated cheese.

Make Ahead Tips

Mini Meatball Soup can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of grated cheese and a drizzle of olive oil for a beautiful and appetizing presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Mini Meatball Soup with a glass of red wine, such as Chianti or Sangiovese, for a classic Italian meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Calories: 350 per serving

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: 25g per serving

Fats

Total Fat: 12g per serving

Saturated Fat: 4g per serving

Proteins

Protein: 20g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This soup is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as iron and calcium from the spinach.

Alergens

Contains dairy (cheese) and gluten (bread crumbs)

Summary

Mini Meatball Soup is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious choice for a meal.

Summary

Mini Meatball Soup is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. Packed with flavorful meatballs, vegetables, pasta, and spinach, this soup is a well-rounded and satisfying meal that is sure to please your taste buds.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. It was a chilly autumn day, and I was flipping through an old cookbook that I had inherited from my own grandmother. As I turned the yellowed pages, my eyes landed on a recipe for Mini Meatball Soup. The combination of savory meatballs, tender vegetables, and flavorful broth seemed like the perfect comfort food for the upcoming winter months.

I had always loved cooking, a passion that had been instilled in me from a young age by my grandmother. She was a fantastic cook, with a talent for creating delicious meals out of the simplest ingredients. I had spent countless hours in her kitchen, watching her work her magic and learning her secrets. Now, as I read through the recipe for Mini Meatball Soup, I felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of trying something new and delicious.

The next day, I set out to gather all the ingredients I would need to make the soup. I carefully selected the freshest vegetables, the highest quality ground beef, and a rich beef broth that would serve as the base of the soup. As I chopped, diced, and mixed the ingredients together, I could almost hear my grandmother's voice guiding me through the process.

Once the soup was simmering on the stove, I turned my attention to the meatballs. I mixed the ground beef with breadcrumbs, minced garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of Parmesan cheese. As I rolled the mixture into tiny meatballs, I couldn't help but think of all the times my grandmother had done the same, her hands moving deftly and purposefully as she created culinary masterpieces.

As the meatballs sizzled in the skillet, filling the kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. I was following in my grandmother's footsteps, carrying on her tradition of delicious, home-cooked meals. I knew that when I served the Mini Meatball Soup to my family that evening, it would be met with smiles and satisfied bellies.

When the soup was finally ready, I ladled it into bowls and garnished each serving with a sprinkling of fresh parsley. As my family gathered around the table, I watched with anticipation as they took their first spoonfuls of the soup. The warm, savory broth, the tender vegetables, and the flavorful meatballs all came together in a perfect symphony of taste and texture.

As they licked their lips and went back for seconds, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. I had learned to make Mini Meatball Soup, a recipe that had been passed down through generations of cooks in my family. And as I looked around at my loved ones enjoying the meal, I knew that I had made my grandmother proud.

From that day on, Mini Meatball Soup became a staple in my cooking repertoire. I made it for family gatherings, dinner parties, and quiet nights at home. Each time I prepared the soup, I felt a connection to my grandmother and all the lessons she had taught me about cooking and family.

As the years passed, I continued to collect recipes from various places and people, adding them to my ever-growing collection of culinary treasures. But the recipe for Mini Meatball Soup always held a special place in my heart. It was a reminder of my grandmother, her love of cooking, and the bond we shared through food.

And so, every time I make a pot of Mini Meatball Soup, I say a silent thank you to my grandmother for passing down this delicious recipe to me. I know that she is looking down on me with pride, knowing that her legacy lives on in every spoonful of soup that I serve. And as I watch my own grandchildren slurping up their soup with smiles on their faces, I can only hope that they will carry on the tradition of cooking and sharing meals with love and joy.