Name: Italian Meatball Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground pork; 1 egg, beaten; ½ cup breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 6 cups chicken stock; 2 cups water; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 8 ounces Anellini pasta or elbow pasta; Minced fresh basil, for serving (optional); Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving (optional); Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 15 reviews

I can’t tell you how many times this Italian Meatball Soup Recipe has warmed up my evenings – it’s just one of those cozy dishes that feels like a hug in a bowl. The tender, flavorful meatballs swimming in a savory tomato broth, combined with tiny pasta, really hits the comfort food spot. Whether it’s a chilly weeknight or a lazy weekend lunch, this soup always manages to satisfy without much fuss.

What I love most about this Italian Meatball Soup Recipe is that it’s surprisingly easy yet feels like something special, perfect for impressing guests or just savoring with your family. Plus, it makes great leftovers, so you can enjoy the delicious flavors again without starting from scratch. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself craving it over and over!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The blend of fresh basil, garlic, and Italian seasoning creates a rich and aromatic broth that makes every bite delicious.
Tender Meatballs: Combining pork with breadcrumbs and egg keeps the meatballs juicy and tender, avoiding dryness.
Comforting & Filling: Using small pasta like anellini or elbow pasta ensures every spoonful has that lovely noodle bite without overpowering the soup.
Easy Weeknight Meal: Despite its rich taste, this soup is easy to make in under an hour – great for busy evenings when you want something wholesome quickly.

A large black pot filled with a warm, reddish-brown broth that has small meatballs and light beige pasta shaped like little rings and short tubes floating inside. The soup looks hearty with visible herbs and small pieces of vegetables, creating a textured surface. The pot sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Italian Meatball Soup Recipe brings together simple ingredients that complement each other perfectly. Each component, from the fresh basil to the choice of pasta, plays a role in building a flavorful, comforting soup that’s straightforward to shop for and cook.

Ground pork: I love using pork because it keeps the meatballs juicy and tender, but feel free to mix with beef if you prefer.
Breadcrumbs: They act as a binder and help the meatballs hold their shape without being dense.
Fresh basil leaves: Adding fresh basil to the meatballs and as garnish really lifts the flavor with a bright, herby note.
Garlic cloves: Garlic is key for that signature Italian aroma—don’t skimp here!
Italian seasoning: This mix of herbs ties the soup together with classic Italian flair.
Chicken stock: Using stock instead of water adds depth and richness to the soup base.
Crushed tomatoes: For a luscious tomato flavor that’s not too thick but perfectly savory.
Anellini or elbow pasta: These small pasta shapes are amazing because they cook quickly and distribute evenly throughout the soup.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Essential for gently browning the meatballs and softening the onions with a subtle fruity note.
Parmesan cheese: I like freshly grated Parmesan for topping because it adds a salty, creamy finish that’s irresistible.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Italian Meatball Soup Recipe is how customizable it is. You can easily switch up herbs or adjust the pasta type to suit your mood or what’s in your pantry. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Variation: I sometimes add chopped spinach or kale near the end for extra greens—adds color and nutrition without overpowering the soup.
Dietary tweak: To keep it gluten-free, swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free ones and use a gluten-free pasta; it works beautifully.
Spice it up: If you like heat, toss in extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce—it really wakes up the flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Shape the Meatballs

Start by combining ground pork, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, chopped fresh basil, minced garlic, sea salt, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. I find using wet hands makes shaping easier and less sticky. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs—about a tablespoon each. Taking this time to form even-sized meatballs ensures they cook uniformly in the soup.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the meatballs in batches. This step locks in flavor and gives the meatballs a lovely color and texture. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you want to sear them, turning occasionally so they brown evenly, about 8 minutes total. Once browned, transfer them to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

In the same pot, add diced onions and cook until translucent—about 4 minutes—scraping up any browned bits from the meatballs for extra flavor. Then add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, roughly 1 more minute. Pour in the chicken stock, water, sea salt, Italian seasoning, and crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine.

Step 4: Cook the Meatballs and Pasta

Return the meatballs to the pot, crank the heat to high, and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the pasta, reduce to medium heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender—typically about 15–20 minutes. Keep an eye on it so the pasta doesn’t stick or overcook; stirring helps prevent that and evenly distributes the flavors.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly chopped basil, grated Parmesan, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. This last touch really brightens up the soup and adds a delightful presentation.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Wet Hands for Meatballs: This little trick keeps the mixture from sticking and helps you form perfect, smooth balls.
Don’t Skip Browning: Browning meatballs adds flavor and texture; skipping it can lead to a less tasty, mushy result.
Stir Often While Cooking Pasta: Prevents pasta clumping and ensures an even cooking texture throughout the soup.
Taste as You Go: Adjust salt and seasoning gradually; soups can easily get bland or too salty if you’re not tasting regularly.

How to Serve Italian Meatball Soup Recipe

A black pot filled with a soup showing three clear layers: the bottom layer is a light brown broth with visible tiny herbs and spices, the middle layer contains small round meatballs in a brown color scattered evenly throughout, and the top layer has short curved pasta pieces in a pale yellow color floating on the surface. Fresh green basil leaves are thinly sliced and scattered on top, adding touches of bright green. The pot is placed on a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I swear by fresh basil and a good grating of Parmesan cheese on top—that herbal brightness and cheesy richness just complete every bite. If I’m feeling adventurous, I toss on a pinch of red pepper flakes for that gentle kick. These simple garnishes elevate the soup to next-level comfort food.

Side Dishes

This soup is pretty filling, but I love pairing it with crusty garlic bread or a crisp green salad to balance things out. A light Caesar salad or even a simple arugula with lemon vinaigrette works beautifully alongside the warm, hearty soup.

Creative Ways to Present

For special family dinners, I sometimes serve the soup in mini bread bowls—that wow factor really brings smiles around the table. You could also ladle it into rustic bowls and let guests add their own garnishes; it becomes a fun interactive meal that feels fresh and personal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cool leftover Italian Meatball Soup before transferring it into airtight containers and storing it in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for 3-4 days, and the flavors actually meld and improve overnight. Just be sure to keep the pasta submerged in soup so it doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

Because the pasta can get mushy when frozen, I prefer to freeze the meatballs and broth separately if I’m planning long-term storage. Freeze the meatballs in a zip-top bag and the broth in containers, then combine and reheat fresh with freshly cooked pasta for the best texture.

Reheating

Reheat the soup gently on the stove, stirring often, and add a splash of water or stock if it’s too thick. If the pasta is a bit soft, simply add a handful of fresh pasta during reheating for that perfect bite every time.

FAQs

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate them until you’re ready to brown and cook the soup. This not only saves time on cooking day but also helps the flavors meld in the meatballs.
What pasta works best in Italian Meatball Soup Recipe?

Small pasta shapes like anellini or elbow macaroni are ideal because they cook evenly and don’t overpower the soup. If you don’t have those, small shells or ditalini also work well.
Can I use ground beef or turkey instead of pork?

Yes! Ground beef will work but can be a bit denser, so consider mixing with pork or adding a splash of milk to keep meatballs moist. Turkey can be a leaner option but watch closely so the meatballs don’t dry out.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?

The broth and meatballs freeze well, but pasta may get mushy when frozen. For best results, freeze components separately and add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.

Final Thoughts

This Italian Meatball Soup Recipe is truly one of my go-to dishes when I want something hearty but fuss-free. Its combination of tender meatballs, flavorful broth, and tender pasta just feels like home in every spoonful. I hope you’ll love making it as much as I do—and next time you want a comforting meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, you’ll have this gem ready to go.