The BEST Winter Soup I've Ever Made - Meatball Minestrone Soup

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

pasta

🥗Healthier: whole grain pasta

💰Cheaper: rice

Whole grain pasta is higher in fiber, while rice is often more economical.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can be healthier, while crushed tomatoes are often less expensive.

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add minced garlic and chopped red onion; sweat for a minute.

Add 3 cups of red Swiss chard, 2 small yellow squash, 1 zucchini, 1/2 cup celery, 1 can of Great Northern beans, 1 cup chopped carrots, and 1 cup frozen peas; stir well.

Add 1 cup of chopped parsley, 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil, and 2 cans of diced tomatoes; mix together.

Pour in 32 ounces of vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste; stir and bring to a simmer.

Add 3 small chopped red potatoes; cover and lower the flame to let simmer for 2 hours.

Prepare meatballs by mixing 2 pounds of ground beef with 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, and 1/4 cup of bread crumbs; add more bread crumbs if needed.

Form meatballs about the size of a golf ball and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake meatballs for 20-30 minutes until they reach 160-165 degrees.

Check the soup for seasoning after 1.5 hours; add meatballs and let cook for another 30 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Serve in bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens