Family-Friendly Recipes That Everyone Will Love

Creamy Italian Meatball Soup (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

This creamy Italian meatball soup features simple yet fresh ingredients measured precisely to deliver the best flavors and texture. Each component plays an important role in building the taste profile.

Ground Beef (1 pound)

Use lean ground beef to form tender, juicy meatballs that hold their shape well in the soup without excess grease. The beef adds rich protein and savory depth.

Italian Breadcrumbs (½ cup)

Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs together while adding subtle seasoning characteristic of Italian cuisine. They keep the texture light.

Parmesan Cheese (¼ cup, grated)

Freshly grated Parmesan imparts a sharp, salty note into the meatballs and broth enhancing the overall creaminess with its umami flavor.

Egg (1 large)

The egg acts as a binder within the meatballs, ensuring they stay intact during cooking while contributing to a tender bite.

Garlic Cloves (3 minced)

Minced garlic introduces aromatic pungency that complements the herbs and enriches the broth with authentic Italian flair.

Carrots (2 medium diced)

Diced carrots bring subtle sweetness and color contrast, balancing savory elements with natural earthiness in the soup base.

Celery Stalks (2 chopped)

Celery adds mild bitterness and crunch which complements other vegetables while enhancing the aromatic foundation of the broth.

Diced Tomatoes (14 oz can)

Canned diced tomatoes provide acidity and depth without overwhelming creaminess; they add brightness that highlights other flavors.

Chicken Broth (6 cups)

A good-quality chicken broth creates a savory base that carries all ingredients’ flavors perfectly while keeping the soup light yet rich.

Heavy Cream (1 cup)

The cream gives this soup its signature smooth texture and luscious mouthfeel, blending all components into one harmonious dish.

Dried Italian Herbs (1 teaspoon mix of basil, oregano, thyme)

This herb blend infuses classic Mediterranean notes that tie together meatballs and vegetables with fragrant complexity.

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Seasoning adjusts flavor balance at every stage ensuring each spoonful delivers just the right savory kick without overpowering.

Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)

A good-quality olive oil helps sauté vegetables gently while enriching the broth’s aroma with subtle fruity notes common in Italian cooking.

Fresh Parsley (for garnish, chopped)

Add chopped parsley just before serving for a burst of color and fresh herbal brightness to finish off this hearty creamy soup perfectly.

Ingredient close-up

# Instructions:

This section guides you through making your own creamy Italian meatball soup in clear detailed steps. Follow carefully for best results!

Step 1: Prepare Meatball Mixture

In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and half of the dried Italian herbs. Mix gently using your hands or a spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender after cooking. Form mixture into small uniform balls roughly one inch in diameter for even cooking later on.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Add diced carrots and chopped celery then cook stirring occasionally until softened but not browned about 5 minutes. This step releases natural sweetness from vegetables forming flavor base for your creamy broth without bitterness from burning.

Step 3: Brown Meatballs Lightly

Add prepared meatballs carefully into the pot with softened vegetables in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side until lightly browned but not fully cooked through about 3 minutes per side. Browning seals juices inside meatballs creating better texture once simmered later in broth.

Step 4: Add Liquids and Tomatoes

Pour chicken broth over browned meatballs along with canned diced tomatoes including their juices. Stir gently so tomatoes distribute evenly without breaking up meatballs too much. Season with remaining dried herbs plus additional salt and pepper if needed based on taste preferences before bringing mixture to boil on medium-high heat.

Step 5: Simmer Until Meatballs Cook Through

Reduce heat to low-medium setting then cover pot loosely allowing steam escape but retaining warmth inside. Let soup simmer gently for about 20 minutes until meatballs are cooked fully through while flavors meld beautifully together creating robust broth base ready for finishing touches.

Step 6: Stir In Heavy Cream Carefully

Add heavy cream slowly into hot soup stirring constantly to incorporate it smoothly without curdling or separating from broth. Allow mixture to warm through another five minutes maintaining low heat so texture stays velvety creamy as intended for this comforting recipe highlight.

Step 7: Final Seasoning Adjustments & Serve Hot Garnished With Parsley

Taste your creamy Italian meatball soup checking seasoning levels adjusting salt or pepper if necessary. Ladle hot soup into bowls then sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top adding bright herbal aroma plus appealing presentation perfect for serving family or guests immediately while warm.