Description
A classic Italian soup featuring tender homemade meatballs, small pasta, and fresh spinach simmered in a savory chicken broth. This elegant yet simple dish combines savory flavors and hearty ingredients to create a comforting meal perfect for any season.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Soup
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- ½ onion, diced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup acini di pepe pasta
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until evenly blended, then form into ½-inch meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until they are lightly browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes, taking care not to fully cook them through.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced carrot, celery, and onion to the pot with the meatballs. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they soften and onions become translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the acini di pepe pasta and cook for approximately 10 minutes until the pasta is tender but still firm.
- Finish Cooking: Carefully add the partially cooked meatballs and chopped spinach to the soup. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and the spinach to wilt.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot as a comforting and nourishing meal.
Notes
- For added brightness, stir in a splash of lemon juice just before serving.
- Substitute turkey for the ground beef and pork for a lighter variation of the meatballs.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; it should remain al dente.
- This soup freezes well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
