Turkey Meatball Soup


As the days grow colder and the leaves begin to fall, there’s nothing quite like a warm and comforting bowl of soup to nourish both body and soul. This Turkey Meatball with Pasta & Vegetables Soup recipe is the perfect embodiment of comfort in a bowl, offering a hearty and wholesome meal that’s not only delicious but also nutritious. Whether you’re looking to warm up on a chilly evening or want a hearty meal that’s easy to prepare, this recipe has you covered.

Turkey Meatball Soup



PREP TIME: 25 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 45 minutes
SERVINGS: 6 SERVINGS


Ingredients:


For the Turkey Meatballs:

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

1 egg

2 cloves garlic minced

1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoon olive oil


For the Soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

2 cups cooked (al dente) small pasta shells

Fresh parsley for garnish, (optional)

Instructions:


Prepare the Turkey Meatballs:
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, chopped parsley, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients until well combined. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
  • In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate and set aside (keep warm).


Prepare the Soup:
  • In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
  • Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the dried thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked turkey meatballs. Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Add the baby spinach leaves and simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the spinach has wilted.
  • Stir in the ‘al dente’ cooked pasta shells and simmer until the pasta is heated through but not overcooked, or add cooked pasta to each bowl during serving (preferred method if storing leftovers).
  • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!

This Turkey Meatball with Pasta & Vegetables Soup recipe is a true masterpiece of comfort food. The tender and flavorful turkey meatballs combined with the hearty vegetables and pasta make for a truly satisfying meal. This soup is not only delicious but also loaded with nutrients, making it a perfect choice for a well-rounded and comforting dinner. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or enjoying it on a quiet evening, this recipe will warm your heart and your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients and give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!


Notes: 


I wanted to share with you one of my favorite techniques when it comes to making our soup recipe – the secret to perfectly cooked small pasta shells. I find that cooking small pasta separately to al dente, and then adding them to the soup, enhances the overall quality of our soup and offers greater control over the pasta’s texture. This is also my preferred method to storing leftovers.


The reason I prefer this method is quite simple. When tiny or small pasta is boiled directly in the soup, it has a tendency to continue cooking even after it’s been removed from the heat. This means that by the time the soup is ready to be served, the pasta can become overcooked and mushy. Overcooked pasta can be a real disappointment, as it can absorb too much liquid and lose that delightful al dente bite we all love.


By cooking the small pasta shells separately to al dente, you can control the cooking time precisely, ensuring they remain perfectly tender without becoming overdone. This way, you have the freedom to add them to the soup just before serving, preventing any risk of them becoming too soft.


Plus, this method allows you to portion the pasta individually. Guests or family members can customize their own servings with the desired amount of pasta, giving them a more enjoyable dining experience and the ability to control their pasta-to-soup ratio. In essence, this simple step elevates our soup recipe by offering a delicious contrast of textures and preserving the integrity of the pasta. It’s the little details like these that make our homemade soup truly exceptional. Enjoy your meal and happy cooking!