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).
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 cooked pasta shells and simmer until the pasta is heated through but not overcooked, or add cooked pasta to each bowl during serving. (*See note below)
Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting and delicious Turkey Meatballs with Pasta & Vegetables Soup!
*I wanted to share with you one of my favorite techniques when it comes to making our beloved 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!