Description
Craving something cozy, creamy, and full of Italian flavor? This Creamy Italian Meatball Soup is a quick dinner winner that combines juicy meatballs, a velvety tomato broth, tender pasta, and fresh spinach for a hearty one-pot meal. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and convenience—ideal for quick weeknight dinners, lazy weekend lunches, or when you need a healthy snack, easy dinner, or family-friendly food idea. Whether you’re looking for dinner ideas or simple soup recipes, this one checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or elbow)
3 cups fresh spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
20 small Italian-style meatballs (homemade or frozen)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
3. Add diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir and let simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil.
5. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
6. Add meatballs and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until fully cooked and tender.
7. Stir in pasta and cook until al dente (8–10 minutes).
8. Lower heat and slowly stir in heavy cream. Do not boil.
9. Add spinach and stir until wilted.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley or basil.
Notes
For the best texture, cook the pasta separately and add it right before serving if you plan to store leftovers.
Use smaller meatballs for quicker cooking and a more spoon-friendly experience.
Avoid boiling the soup after adding cream—gentle heat keeps it smooth and creamy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1 ½ cups)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: creamy soup, Italian meatballs, one-pot dinner, quick dinner, comfort food