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Meatball Tortellini Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 74 reviews

This hearty Meatball Tortellini Soup combines tender homemade Italian meatballs with a rich broth, fresh vegetables, and cheesy tortellini, making it a warming and satisfying meal perfect for any day. The soup balances savory flavors with fresh kale and tomatoes, delivering a comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 8 Ritz crackers
  • 3 slices bread (end slices preferred)
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
  • 1/2 tablespoon sliced green onion
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1/4 tablespoon salt

Soup

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 7 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup chopped kale
  • 1 carrot, sliced
  • 14 oz diced tomatoes
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Grated parmesan cheese (for topping)

Other

  • Tortellini (quantity not specified—typically 8 oz fresh or frozen tortellini)
  • Olive oil (for sautéing and browning meatballs)

Instructions

  1. Soak Bread in Milk: Place the slices of bread into a bowl of milk and allow them to soak thoroughly. Once softened, break the bread apart with your fingers until it becomes a mushy consistency, then set aside to incorporate into the meatball mixture.
  2. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground sausage and ground beef. Add the soaked bread and milk mixture, crushed Ritz crackers, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, egg, sliced green onion, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  3. Shape Meatballs: Using your hands, roll the meat mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent cooking later.
  4. Brown Meatballs on Stovetop: Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides until a nice crust forms. Remove the meatballs and place them on a napkin-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  5. Bake Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the browned meatballs to a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and only slightly pink in the center, ensuring safety and juiciness.
  6. Sauté Vegetables: In a large stockpot, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and chopped celery, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant and lightly browned, being careful not to burn it.
  7. Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and water. Stir in the diced tomatoes, sliced carrots, and baked meatballs. Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook gently for 20 minutes to meld flavors together.
  8. Cook Kale and Tortellini: Add the chopped kale and tortellini to the simmering soup. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes until the kale wilts and the tortellini float to the top, indicating they’re fully cooked (generally 3-4 minutes for fresh tortellini). Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Serve Soup: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this nourishing and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • If preferred, use vegetable broth to make the soup vegetarian-friendly but substitute meatballs accordingly.
  • Fresh tortellini is recommended for best texture but frozen can be used; adjust cooking time as needed.
  • For a spicier soup, increase the amount of hot sauce or add crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Leftover meatballs can be frozen before baking for easy future meal prep.
  • Adding extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers can increase nutritional value.

Keywords: meatball tortellini soup, Italian meatball soup, hearty soup recipe, cozy soup, Italian-American comfort food

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/meatball-tortellini-soup-recipe/