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!
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!
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 😄
This soup was a hit at my house! The meatballs turned out so juicy and flavorful.
Really solid and easy weeknight soup. I used Italian breadcrumbs instead of plain and it still worked great. Next time I’ll maybe add some fresh parsley for color.
This soup is AMAZING! The meatballs were so tender and flavorful. Definitely a keeper! 🍲
Sounds great, but how can meatballs be tender when they’re boiled? Isn’t that a bit strange?
I totally agree! This soup is the best! I made it for my family and they loved it too.
Meatball soup?? Sounds weird, but I gave it a shot. Turned out great!!
I’m so glad you tried it! Meatball soup is actually really tasty. It’s like comfort food in a bowl!
Made this tonight and it’s honestly super comforting. The meatballs stayed tender and the basil/oregano combo feels really classic. I added a little extra pepper and it was perfect.
Glad you loved it! That basil/oregano combo really is classic—extra pepper always helps too. 👍
I dunno, my meatballs fell apart in the broth. Anyone else have this problem?
Sounds like you’re not mixing them well enough. Or maybe too much broth? Meatballs need to be tough, man!
Yeah, that happened to me too once! I think if you don’t let the meatballs chill for a bit before adding them to the broth, they may fall apart. Just a tip!
Meatball soup? Sounds like a waste of good beef. Why not do a steak instead?
Took longer to cook than I thought. Are we sure that’s the right time? I ended up waiting an hour!
Meatballs in soup? Poor man’s food! My granny used to make this when we were broke. Brings back memories.
Too salty for my taste. I would reduce the salt next time. 🤔
Yum! Instant favorite. Just like mama used to make! 🥰
So glad you loved it! My kids can’t get enough of this soup either. ❤️
Tried this but forgot the eggs. Soup was kinda dry. My bad lol. Gonna try again properly.
Honestly, without the eggs? That sounds like it was just meat and broth. How do you forget eggs lol?
Haha, we’ve all been there! Eggs really do help hold it together. Next time will be better!
This soup is a lifesaver! My kids loved the meatballs, and it was so easy to make. Definitely a 5-star dish!
This soup is just the best! So hearty and delicious!
Totally agree! This soup warms my soul. Perfect for cold days!
The flavor is good, but my meatballs came out kind of crumbly. I think my egg wasn’t beaten enough or my bread crumbs were too dry.
Too many veggies, not enough meatballs! I want more meatballs next time! Come on!
I didn’t have beef broth so I used chicken broth. It was still good but not as beefy. Never knew bacon in soup was an apostasy! 😂
Why do people add garlic? It makes everything taste weird! I left it out, still okay I guess.
Garlic is essential! It adds depth of flavor, but if you don’t like it, that’s fine. Just use extra herbs!
I dunno, garlic makes food better! But if ya like it without, go for it. Whatever works for you!
Yum! Can’t wait to try this. I have all the ingredients plus some pepper jack cheese to throw in 😋
That sounds amazing! I love the idea of adding pepper jack cheese for a kick! Hope it’s as good as it sounds!
Delicious soup but too much celery. Might swap it for peas next time.
I used chicken broth by accident. Still good but not the same vibe. Now I’m definitely buying beef broth next time.
Oh no—chicken broth would definitely change the flavor profile, but I’m glad it still worked! Beef broth really makes the soup taste richer. Next time you’ll be back to that “meaty” vibe 😄
Easy to make and perfect for dinner! I added some cheese on top, which was a game changer!
Simple and easy! Perfect for a quick dinner. Will make again for sure.
Glad you liked it! This soup is such a lifesaver on busy nights. 👍
Where’s the beef? I expected more meat in that soup! Might just make it again but with extra beef.