Description
A light yet hearty turkey meatball soup featuring tender meatballs, fresh vegetables, and small pasta simmered in a flavorful chicken broth. This comforting and healthy meal is perfect for a wholesome dinner or lunch, combining protein-rich turkey with nutrient-packed greens for a balanced dish.
Ingredients
For Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Soup
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup small pasta (orzo or ditalini)
- 2 cups spinach or kale, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and aromatic.
- Simmer the soup with meatballs: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer. Carefully add the prepared meatballs to the simmering broth. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through while infusing the broth with flavor.
- Add pasta and cook: Add the small pasta to the pot and continue to simmer the soup for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Incorporate greens and serve: Stir in the spinach or kale leaves and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until they just wilt. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot, optionally with a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken for turkey if preferred.
- Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving enhances the brightness of the soup.
- This soup freezes well; cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
