Italian Meatball Soup

Italian cuisine has become quite popular with the introduction of Italian pastas all over the world. However not many know that even meatballs are considered to be an important ingredient in many types of dishes of Italian cuisine. Italian meatballs are known as polpette and are made of ingredients like pork, beef, chopped garlic, bread crumbs, black pepper, parsley, romano cheese, salt and olive oil. Sometimes even turkey is added to make these delicious dish according to the Italian meatball recipe. All these ingredients are first mixed and then rolled into the shapes of golf sized balls. In certain regions of Italy, these meatballs are rolled in the size of marbles which are called polpettine. Though Italian meatballs are used in most of the main dishes, the Italian soup is not complete without meatballs. Hence, let us take a look at various Italian recipes of meatball soup.

Meatball Soup Recipes
Many people consider Italian style meatball soup very difficult to make. However, it is actually not so. People who have made these soups regularly say that it is very easy and is the best thing that you can dish out, when you do not have time to prepare dinner. Moreover, these soup recipes are really very delicious and extremely good for health.

Basic Meatball Soup

Ingredients to Make Meatballs

• Ground beef, 16 ounces
• Onion, chopped, 4 ounces
• Egg, beaten, 1
• Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon
• Bread crumbs, 4 ounces
• Salt, ½ teaspoon
• Milk, 2 tablespoons
• Pepper, ¼ teaspoon

Ingredients to Make Soup

• Canned tomatoes, chopped, 16 ounces
• Beef bouillon, 2 teaspoons
• Italian herbs, ½ teaspoon
• Tomato sauce, 16 ounces
• Chopped onion, 4-8 ounces
• Sugar, 2-3 teaspoons
• Water or beef broth, 8 ounces
• Carrots, zucchini and celery, chopped, 8 ounces each
• Fresh Italian parsley, chopped, ¼ cup

Preparation
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients required to make meatball, together. When they get fully combined, roll them into small-sized balls. In a large skillet, heat 3 - 4 tablespoons of oil and deep-fry these meatballs in it. When the meatballs turn brown in color, remove from oil and place them on tissue paper, to remove the excess oil. To make soup, take another skillet and combine all the ingredients required to make soup in it. Heat the skillet and allow it to boil on a medium to high heat. When it begins to boil, reduce the heat to a low flame and let it cook for some time. After ten minutes, add the meatballs into the soup and allow it to simmer for fifteen minutes more. Take the skillet from the flame and transfer the soup into serving bowls. Garnish each soup bowl with grated mozzarella as well as Parmesan cheese and serve. Read more on meatball appetizer recipes.

Quick Meatball Soup

Ingredients

• Italian meatballs, cooked, 8 ounces
• Water, 12 ounces
• Mixed vegetables, 8 ounces
• Beef broth, 14 ounces
• Diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, 15 ounces (1 can)
• Small dry pasta, 4 ounces
• Parmesan cheese, grated or shredded, 1 tablespoon
• Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon

Preparation
In a large saucepan, take water and combine undrained tomatoes and beef broth in it. Add Italian seasoning to it and cook on medium to high heat. When the broth begins to boil, put in pasta, meatballs and the mixed vegetables. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for ten to twelve minutes by covering the saucepan with a lid. After ten minutes, check whether the pasta and the vegetables have become tender and then, take the saucepan off the flame. Pour the soup into bowls and serve hot by topping it with Parmesan cheese.

Delicious Meatball Soup

Ingredients

• Lean chopped beef, 16 ounces
• Egg, lightly beaten,1
• Tomato sauce with basil, 17 ounces
• Small red onion, grated, 1
• Basil leaves, finely chopped, ⅓ cup
• Chicken stock, 4 cups
• Green beans, chopped, 4-5 ounces
• White breadcrumbs, ½ cup
• Risoni pasta, ½ cup
• Zucchini, diced, 2
• Garlic cloves, crushed, 2
• Parmesan cheese, grated, ⅓ cup

Preparation
In a large mixing bowl, mix chopped beef, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic and onion together. Add salt and pepper to these ingredients and stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into balls and set them aside. In a deep saucepan, take stock, 2 cups of water and tomato sauce and cook by covering it with a lid. When it begins to boil, take off the froth that forms on the upper layer and add the prepared meatballs. Boil the soup again and then reduce the heat to a low flame. Allow the soup to cook on a low heat for ten to fifteen minutes without covering it with a lid. Put in risoni pasta and let it cook for five minutes. This should be followed by zucchini and beans and cook till they become tender. Pour soup into serving bowls and garnish it with Parmesan cheese. This soup will taste best with crusty Italian bread.

So, the next time you have a little get together at home or may be you do not have time to cook a meal, try one of these tasty recipes that every member of your family will definitely enjoy.