This Meatball Soup is just a lighter take on traditional spaghetti and makes a good weeknight go-to meal. Adding a side of buttered french bread slices will add some extra goodness.
And as with any soup, it always tastes better the second day once all the flavors warm up to each other.
Making the meatballs ahead (and even doubling the recipe) is a good tip for saving time in the kitchen….especially for a working family looking for a quick and good meal during the week.
Make the meatballs ahead and place them in the freezer (baked or raw) to pull out when your ready, adding extra for meatball hoagies too (frozen separate).
For the Meatballs
Meatballs for Meatball Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 oz bread crumbs
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
- a splash of milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef and all ingredients gently until combined. Form into meatballs (small to medium) ~ place onto a baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. Oven temps and times may vary.
While the Meatballs are baking, start the Soup
Meatball Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tb olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp of each basil, oregano, parsley
- a pinch of salt and black pepper
- a pinch of red pepper flake (if desired)
- 8 cloves of garlic, pressed
- 2 tb tomato paste (I froze the other 4 oz of a 6 oz can)
- 1 28oz can diced tomatos
- 6 c chicken stock
- 8 oz cooked rigatoni noodles
- 2 c grated mozzarella for serving
Instructions
- In a large soup pot drizzle olive oil and adjust heat to a medium setting. add chopped onion and saute, adding in the salt, basil, oregano, black pepper and red pepper flake if desired. Stir for a couple of minutes. Add garlic and stir to combine. Add the tomato paste and then the diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir and simmer for approximately 15 minutes. (You may puree the soup if desired with an immersion blender, if desired). Add the meatballs and cooked rigatoni, then simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
- To serve, ladle soup into bowls and add grated mozzarella cheese. Enjoy (or place under the broiler for extra goodness).
Serve it up!
I haven’t tried it yet, but I am sure if you added a little heavy whipping cream it would be a super yummy ‘cream’ soup!
Enjoy!
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And how ’bout a little ol’ fashioned sweet goodness with a Peanut Butter and Chocolate Parfait!
You may make this as ‘homemade’ or as ‘quick’ as you want it.
Layer it up using the recipe below….be sure to check out the quick time saving tips within the recipe.
Serve it up in fun Sundae Glasses and you will be the hit of the picnic!
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Parfaits
Ingredients
- 1 recipe for homemade chocolate pudding (link provided below) or make a quick instant chocolate pudding from a box.
- 1 c creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 c confectioners sugar
- 1 3oz package of cream cheese
- 1 8oz frozen topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
- 4 bananas peeled and sliced (a fun flavor twist)
- 1 c chopped peanuts (if desired)
- 1/2 pound package of peanut butter sandwich cookies ~ crushed or as a quick alternative purchase crushed cookies or graham crumbs.
- cookies to garnish and make it pretty.
Instructions
- Prepare Chocolate Pudding and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine, peanut butter, confectioners sugar and beat until creamy. Add cream cheese and beat again. Fold in whipped topping and mix.
- In your serving glasses, layer pudding, bananas, peanut butter mix, and crumbled cookies. Garnish and Enjoy. Or store in refrigerator until ready.
To keep it homemade, here is a link to several Chocolate Pudding Recipes ~ found thru Pinterest. Click (here), or create your own search.
I favor a homemade pudding recipe with no eggs and using melted chocolate vs cocoa.
But really, any homemade pudding recipe will be just as tasty!
Make ahead and freeze the extras for an evening when you just need a little something sweet!
That all sounds so good! Need to give those recipes a try! My paint brushes are finally getting a bit of a workout!
from spatulas to paintbrushes….not a bad mix 🙂 Enjoy!