Meatball Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that combines savory meatballs with a flavorful broth and vegetables, creating the perfect bowl of warmth for chilly days. This soup is filling yet light, with tender meatballs that are seasoned to perfection and a broth that’s rich in flavor but not overly heavy. Packed with vegetables like carrots, celery, and tomatoes, it’s a well-rounded meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or enjoying a cozy solo meal, Meatball Soup is a classic comfort food that never goes out of style.
To make Meatball Soup, the first step is preparing the meatballs. Ground beef, pork, or turkey can be used, depending on your preference. The meatballs are typically seasoned with garlic, onion, herbs like oregano or basil, and breadcrumbs to give them flavor and structure. Once rolled into small, bite-sized balls, the meatballs are browned in a pan to develop a rich, savory crust before being added to the soup.
For the broth, a combination of beef or chicken stock, tomatoes, and seasonings creates a comforting base. The broth is simmered with vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, allowing the flavors to meld together. The meatballs are then gently simmered in the broth until they are fully cooked and infused with the flavors of the soup.
You can customize Meatball Soup by adding other vegetables, such as potatoes, zucchini, or spinach, for extra texture and flavor. For a bit of richness, a splash of cream or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese can be added to the soup just before serving.
This soup is incredibly versatile and can be adjusted based on what you have on hand. It’s perfect for meal prepping, as it stores well in the fridge for several days and can even be frozen for later use. Meatball Soup is an ideal dish for family dinners, as it’s easy to make in large batches and is sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.
Whether served with a side of crusty bread or a light salad, Meatball Soup is a simple yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for any time of year, though it’s especially cozy on a cool autumn or winter day.

Ingredients
- 500 grams ground beef
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups carrots chopped
- 2 cups celery chopped
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, beaten egg, bread crumbs, and garlic powder until well combined. Form the mixture into small meatballs.
- In a large pot, bring the beef broth to a boil. Add the meatballs and reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Add the chopped carrots, chopped celery, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pot.
- Simmer the soup for 30-40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
5 stars!! So easy. My kids ate it all. Next time I’ll double the batch and freeze leftovers.
Made this tonight—so comforting. The meatballs held together great and the veggie balance is perfect. I added a pinch of chili flakes for fun.
Meatballs held together for you? Mine always fall apart 😅 I think I need more breadcrumbs or maybe my egg wasn’t beaten enough. Still, glad it worked!
Love hearing that! The chili flakes addition sounds awesome—kind of a nice little kick with the basil/oregano.
I found this recipe a bit unbalanced. The meatballs were good but the broth felt kinda bland to me. Might need more spices.
Bland? I thought it was fine! Maybe you just don’t like beef broth? 🤷♂️
I get what you mean! I think adding some chili flakes or a splash of soy sauce could really amp up the flavor. Just my two cents!
I’m not sure about the bread crumbs ratio. Mine were a little dry, but flavor was still good. Maybe I’ll use panko next time.
Good to know! I’ve noticed bread crumbs can vary a lot by brand. If yours came out dry, I’d try adding a splash more broth/egg or using slightly more crumbs. Panko might help too—keep me posted!
Dry meatballs usually means you’re overcooking them. 30-40 mins feels long for small ones—I’d simmer closer to 20. Also 1/2 cup is too much for 500g beef, IMO. Try less bread crumbs or they’ll be bready.
Meatballs in soup? Sounds weird. But it actually tastes good! Who would’ve thought?
I was skeptical too, but this soup is amazing! Totally unexpected flavors.
I dunno… I added some chili flakes for a kick and it was actually pretty decent! Not bad.
Chili flakes? That’s a smart twist! I might try that next time. Glad you liked it!
I dunno, the broth was kinda bland. My husband said he wanted more flavor. ⭐️⭐️
Bland soup? That’s no good! Maybe try adding some soy sauce or more herbs next time?
I totally get what you mean! I added some extra seasoning, like chili flakes and it made a huge difference! 🌶️
Yum! Meatballs and soup!!!
This turned out so comforting—those little meatballs stayed tender and the veggies weren’t mushy. I added a little extra pepper and it was perfect. Thanks!
Mine was pretty good but my veggies did get a bit soft by 30 min—maybe I cut them too small? Also I used Italian seasoning instead of basil/oregano lol. Still tasted okay though.
Glad it worked for you! I’ve found the key is keeping it at a gentle simmer so the meatballs don’t get tough. Extra pepper is always the move 😄
Oh wow. The garlic powder + oregano combo makes it taste way more “restaurant” than I expected. I used chicken broth instead and it still worked.