Quick Italian Meatball Soup
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This quick and easy Italian meatball soup recipe includes tender meatballs and veggies slow-cooked in a flavorful broth and served with bowtie pasta.
Good day, everyone! Today I’m so excited to be sharing my Italian meatball soup recipe with y’all. When I say it’s quick and easy, you know I mean it. You’ll be enjoying a big bowl of deliciously hearty soup in under 30 minutes. This is the perfect comfort food dish to dig into on a cold winter day. It’ll warm you up from the inside out and keep you feeling full all afternoon or night long. I typically make it as a quick lunch when I’m feeling fancy and want more than a sandwich.
The secret to this recipe’s quickness is the fact we use pantry and freezer essentials. We’re talking frozen meatballs, frozen mixed vegetables, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, and bowtie pasta. Do you have most of these ingredients at home already?
All we’re going to do is place all of the ingredients in a pot (minus the pasta) and bring them to a boil. Then we reduce the heat, add the pasta, and let those flavors mingle and cook until the pasta is al dente. This will probably take less than 15 minutes. Then it’s time to serve! Grab a big bowl of Italian meatball soup and save the leftovers for later on in the week. Meal prep at its finest.
This is one of my favorite soup recipes. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s simple, but it’s also bursting with flavor. I just know y’all with love it too. Serve this soup with cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, garlic bread, or dinner rolls.
What You’ll Need to Make Quick Italian Meatball Soup:
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken broth
- Diced tomatoes
- Bowtie pasta
- Frozen fully cooked meatballs (either turkey or beef meatballs).
- Frozen mixed vegetables
- Italian seasoning
- Farfalle or bowtie pasta
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to Make My Easy Italian Meatball Soup:
Combine broth, tomatoes, meatballs, vegetables, and Italian seasoning in a large pot or dutch oven.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Turn the heat down to medium and add pasta.
Continue to cook for 12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the meatballs are heated through.
And there you have it! The quickest and easiest Italian meatball soup you’ve ever made! And it’s oh-so-delicious, too!
Storage for Quick Italian Meatball Soup:
- Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop on low heat until heated through.
- Freeze leftover soup for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating it as above.
Recipe Variations
Here are some suggestions and swaps to make this recipe work for you:
- Add 2 cups of baby spinach leaves or kale to the soup during the last few minutes of cooking time.
- Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves.
- Use crushed tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes.
- Use the veggies of your choice. They can be frozen or fresh vegetables. Some other great soup veggies include diced celery, carrots, red bell pepper, fresh minced garlic cloves, mushrooms, potatoes, green beans, or onion.
- Add a can of cannellini beans.
- Use the short pasta variety of your choice, like pasta shells, ditalini, orzo pasta, orecchiette, or elbow macaroni noodles.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Swap the chicken broth for beef broth or vegetable broth.
- Use any type of frozen meatballs, including beef, turkey, plant-based, or Italian meatballs. Or you might like to use homemade meatballs (made with ground beef, eggs, oats, and tomato sauce).
Recipe FAQs
What do you serve with Italian meatball soup?
This is the perfect main dish as is. But if you like, you can serve the soup with a bread-based side dish to soak up the broth. Some homemade suggestions include cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, garlic bread, or dinner rolls.
Can you make Italian meatball soup in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can! Add the ingredients to the crock pot and cook them on low for 3 to 4 hours.
Can you make vegan Italian meatball soup?
Yes, it’s actually super easy to make vegan Italian meatball soup. First, swap the meatballs for the plant-based or “meatless” frozen meatballs of your choice. Then use vegetable broth and ensure the pasta is vegan-friendly and doesn’t contain eggs. That’s it, you have a vegan meatball soup now!
Can we tempt you with these recipes too?
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Copycat Recipe)
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Ingredients
- 2 32-ounce cartons chicken broth
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups uncooked bowtie pasta
- 16 ounces small beef or turkey frozen meatballs
- 1 16-ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
Instructions
- Combine chicken broth, tomatoes, vegetables, Italian seasoning, and meatballs in a large pot. Bring just to a boil over medium-high heat.2 32-ounce cartons chicken broth, 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 16 ounces small beef or turkey frozen meatballs, 1 16-ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
- Turn the heat down to medium and add pasta. Continue cooking for approximately 12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the meatballs are heated through.2 cups uncooked bowtie pasta
Nutrition
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
~Chinese Proverb
Oh, Mama Janice !! I’m so glad Christy was able to convince you to chime in with your recipes here on Southern Plate ! Sure am looking forward to hearing from you on a regular basis. Quick and tasty are my kind of recipes. I’m sure you will get the hang of things in no time. Can’t wait to give this recipe a go since we are heading into colder weather. As for which recipe to share next ? Well,,, any one of them that holds a great memory for you or a story would be just perfect. Can’t wait to see which one you will share with us next ! 😀
…welcome, Christy’s momma! I have been enjoying Christy’s recipes since my daughter introduced me to her website a 2 or 3 years ago and have been hooked ever since! My maternal grandmother’s old handwritten recipe journal has been ‘lost’ in the family for years so we no longer have that treasure trove, but through my aunt’s on my paternal grandmother’s side, we have some of those that I have begged and now use. I also enjoy sharing and swapping from friends, family and strangers! I am shamless, my husband says, when it comes to asking for this recipe or hint from someone, lol!
Hello Cassie, We are definitely kindred souls. I have hunted down people to get their recipes when we have them at potlucks. I am always looking for something new to try! When I put my sweet potato dumpling recipe up in a couple weeks, you will see just how far I will go for a recipe! Thanks for the lovely comment! Mama
You are very welcome and I am looking forward to your recipes. Sweet potato dumplings have me looking forward to the recipe for them. Thanks!
That looks delicious and easy for a weeknight meal. Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to see what other recipes you will bring us. 🙂
Hi Kasey, I have lots of recipes waiting to share with you. Let me know if you try them and how they turned out. Love hearing from you! Mama
So glad that you decided to do this with christy.
I am a big fan of soups and gumbos so this is definitely my ” bag”! The plus is how fast it goes together !!
Most of my recipes have been simplified for today’s cooks. I know how busy everyone is even if you are a stay at home mom, like me. I have three grandsons living here for awhile. They are most concerned with fast and plenty as far as food goes. I love soups and stews. As soon as it gets cool I start making huge pots of soup. We always have cornbread with it since my hubby thinks they go together and soup isn’t soup unless you have cornbread with it!
Welcome! I am so happy that you are joining with Christy. Like you, I have raised my children and now enjoy my gradnchildren. I am looking forward to your stories and receipes. May God continue to bless you and yours. When I found Christy’s site after purchasing one of her books, I was very impressed with her Christian values and her willing heart to share.
Welcome aboard, Mama! Glad we get to enjoy the ride together!
Well, buckle your seat belt and hold on! We are just getting started.
I am buckled up also and ready for more!! I am certain to enjoy all of your wit and wisdom as well as your recipes Mama Reed!! Thanks for starting this trip!!
Welcome! Know we will all love your recipes and tales as much as we love and adore Christy. After all you raised you just right.
I agree! Christy is a gem all right. She is so excited about everything! I hope you enjoy the recipes.
Thanks for your comment. I was worried that I wouldn’t get any. I hope you are not disappointed. I have lots of stories and recipes to share.
Thanks for sharing this one…I can’t wait for more of your recipes! 🙂
http://comehomeforcomfort.com/
I am so glad that everyone is excited! I have so many recipes to share that I can’t decide what to do next. Thanks for your comment!
Bring them on especially soup and casseroles. Oh I just about love everything and am heading out to make this now! lol