Description
A hearty and comforting American soup featuring tender ground turkey meatballs simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables, pasta, and baby spinach. Perfect for a cozy family meal or a healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini)
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a mixing bowl, gently combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly mixed without overworking the meat.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, uniform meatballs to ensure even cooking and set them aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery, cooking for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to release its aroma without browning.
- Add Broth and Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Increase heat and bring the broth to a gentle boil.
- Cook Meatballs in Soup: Carefully add the turkey meatballs to the boiling broth and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
- Cook Pasta: Stir in the small pasta and continue cooking until the pasta is tender but not mushy, about 7-9 minutes depending on pasta type.
- Add Spinach: Mix in baby spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted, adding a fresh, green finish to the soup.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately for a warming meal.
Notes
- Kale can be substituted for spinach for a heartier green.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
