🎉 Introduction
Creamy Italian Meatball Soup is the perfect combination of rich comfort and classic Italian flavor. Imagine tender, juicy meatballs simmered in a creamy tomato-infused broth, paired with fresh spinach, soft short pasta, aromatic herbs, and savory Parmesan. This soup is warm, hearty, and bursting with Italian-inspired goodness—just what you need on a chilly evening or when you’re craving something cozy, filling, and full of satisfying flavors.
This recipe brings together everything people love about Italian cooking: garlic, basil, oregano, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. The cream adds luxurious richness, while the pasta and meatballs make it incredibly satisfying. Even better, it’s easy to prepare and comes together in one pot. With minimal effort, you’ll have a soup that tastes like something from a comforting Italian kitchen—creamy, flavorful, and ready to enjoy.
Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or sharing with guests, this Creamy Italian Meatball Soup is sure to become a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle
- Small bowl
- Serving bowls
🛒 Ingredients
Meat
- 1 lb cooked or frozen beef meatballs (or chicken meatballs)
Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 can of tomatoes (diced or crushed)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Pasta
- 1 cup short pasta (such as ditalini, shells, or macaroni)
Dairy
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt and black pepper to taste
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 — Prepare the base
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 2 — Add garlic and herbs
Stir in the minced garlic, dried basil, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute to release all the aromas.
Step 3 — Add tomatoes and broth
Pour in the canned tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well, bringing everything together into a flavorful broth.
Step 4 — Add meatballs
Add the cooked or frozen beef (or chicken) meatballs to the pot. Stir gently so they warm evenly.
Step 5 — Simmer thoroughly
Bring the soup to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes so the flavors blend and the meatballs heat through.
Step 6 — Add pasta
Add the short pasta to the soup. Continue simmering for 8–10 minutes or until the pasta becomes tender.
Step 7 — Add cream and spinach
Lower the heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently. Add fresh spinach and let it wilt into the soup for 2–3 minutes.
Step 8 — Adjust seasoning
Taste the soup and add salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust the creaminess or seasoning to your liking.
Step 9 — Serve warm
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, hearty flavor.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
- Freeze without pasta for up to 2 months.
- Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
Reheating
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
- If thick, add broth or water to reach the perfect consistency.
🥄 Variations
1. Chicken Italian Soup
Use chicken meatballs instead of beef.
2. Extra Creamy Version
Add 2 extra tablespoons of cream cheese for richer texture.
3. Tomato-Rich Version
Use crushed tomatoes for a deeper tomato flavor.
4. Veggie Loaded
Add carrots, zucchini, or peas.
5. Low-Carb
Skip pasta and add more spinach or zucchini slices.
6. Herby & Fresh
Add fresh basil and parsley at the end.
7. Spicy Version
Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño.
8. Cheese Lover’s Soup
Add extra Parmesan or mozzarella.
9. Brothier Version
Add an additional cup of broth.
10. Gluten-Free
Use gluten-free pasta or omit pasta entirely.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes, frozen beef or chicken meatballs work perfectly.
2. Can I make it without cream?
You can use milk or half-and-half for a lighter version.
3. Can I use fresh tomatoes?
Yes—use 2–3 large tomatoes, chopped.
4. Can I substitute the pasta?
Any short pasta works, or you can use rice instead.
5. Does the soup thicken as it cools?
Yes, because pasta absorbs liquid. Add broth if needed.
6. Can I add mozzarella?
Absolutely—melt it in for extra creaminess.
7. Is it spicy?
No—unless you add red pepper flakes.
8. Can I use beef broth instead?
Yes, but chicken broth keeps it lighter.
9. Can I make it ahead?
Yes—just store pasta separately for best results.
10. What goes well with this soup?
Garlic bread, salad, or toasted baguette.
🏁 Conclusion
This Creamy Italian Meatball Soup brings together everything comforting and delicious about Italian cooking: tender meatballs, savory vegetables, soft pasta, rich cream, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. The result is a hearty, warm, and deeply satisfying dish that feels like a hug in a bowl.
It’s easy to make, full of classic flavors, perfect for family dinners, and customizable for any taste. Whether you’re craving something creamy, comforting, or Italian-inspired, this soup is guaranteed to become a favorite in your home.
Creamy Italian Meatball Soup – Cozy, Hearty & Full of Flavor
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried basil, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute to release all the aromas.
- Pour in the canned tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well, bringing everything together into a flavorful broth.
- Add the cooked or frozen beef (or chicken) meatballs to the pot. Stir gently so they warm evenly.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes so the flavors blend and the meatballs heat through.
- Add the short pasta to the soup. Continue simmering for 8–10 minutes or until the pasta becomes tender.
- Lower the heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently. Add fresh spinach and let it wilt into the soup for 2–3 minutes.
- Taste the soup and add salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust the creaminess or seasoning to your liking.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, hearty flavor.
Notes
Refrigerator Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freezer Freeze without pasta for up to 2 months. Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating. Reheating Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If thick, add broth or water to reach the perfect consistency. 🥄 Variations
1. Chicken Italian Soup Use chicken meatballs instead of beef. 2. Extra Creamy Version Add 2 extra tablespoons of cream cheese for richer texture. 3. Tomato-Rich Version Use crushed tomatoes for a deeper tomato flavor. 4. Veggie Loaded Add carrots, zucchini, or peas. 5. Low-Carb Skip pasta and add more spinach or zucchini slices. 6. Herby & Fresh Add fresh basil and parsley at the end. 7. Spicy Version Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño. 8. Cheese Lover’s Soup Add extra Parmesan or mozzarella. 9. Brothier Version Add an additional cup of broth. 10. Gluten-Free Use gluten-free pasta or omit pasta entirely. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use frozen meatballs? Yes, frozen beef or chicken meatballs work perfectly. 2. Can I make it without cream? You can use milk or half-and-half for a lighter version. 3. Can I use fresh tomatoes? Yes—use 2–3 large tomatoes, chopped. 4. Can I substitute the pasta? Any short pasta works, or you can use rice instead. 5. Does the soup thicken as it cools? Yes, because pasta absorbs liquid. Add broth if needed. 6. Can I add mozzarella? Absolutely—melt it in for extra creaminess. 7. Is it spicy? No—unless you add red pepper flakes. 8. Can I use beef broth instead? Yes, but chicken broth keeps it lighter. 9. Can I make it ahead? Yes—just store pasta separately for best results. 10. What goes well with this soup? Garlic bread, salad, or toasted baguette. 🏁 Conclusion This Creamy Italian Meatball Soup brings together everything comforting and delicious about Italian cooking: tender meatballs, savory vegetables, soft pasta, rich cream, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. The result is a hearty, warm, and deeply satisfying dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s easy to make, full of classic flavors, perfect for family dinners, and customizable for any taste. Whether you’re craving something creamy, comforting, or Italian-inspired, this soup is guaranteed to become a favorite in your home.
