Pin it
Turkey Meatball Soup
This cozy turkey meatball soup warms you up from the inside out. The tomato broth turns rich and silky while those tender turkey meatballs make every spoonful satisfying. I love how everything comes together quickly for dinner and the best part? You can prep those meatballs ahead and keep them in the freezer ready to go. On busy nights knowing I have a bag of homemade meatballs waiting feels like hitting the dinner jackpot.
Why This Soup Works
One pot is all you need for this soup magic to happen. The meatballs stay tender and juicy while orzo pasta soaks up all those amazing flavors. Throw in some fresh veggies and youve got dinner ready in about 35 minutes. My family loves dunking crusty bread in the broth and somehow the pot always ends up empty. Some nights I make extra just so we have lunch sorted for tomorrow.
Pin it
Into The Pot
- Turkey meatballs: Roll your own or grab them from the store no judgment here both work great.
- Olive oil: Just enough to get those veggies going the good stuff makes a difference.
- Onion carrot and celery: Chop them small they melt right into the broth making it super flavorful.
- Garlic: Fresh cloves make the kitchen smell amazing.
- Italian seasoning: Dried herbs work perfectly fresh are wonderful if you have them.
- Tomato paste and sauce: These create that rich broth we all love.
- Chicken stock: I grab low sodium so I can control the salt.
- Orzo: These tiny pasta shapes are perfect or swap in whatever small pasta you like.
- Baby spinach: Adds color and goodness kale works great too.
- Half and half: A splash makes everything creamy skip it if you want.
- Parmesan: Fresh grated on top makes everything better.
Lets Cook
- Get The Base Going
- Grab your biggest pot splash in some olive oil and toss in those diced veggies. Let them cook until they soften up about 7 minutes your kitchen will start smelling amazing.
- Add Some Punch
- Drop in your garlic and seasonings let them sizzle just for a minute until they release all their goodness.
- Build The Soup
- Time for tomato paste sauce and stock. Pour it all in add your orzo and watch it bubble up. Turn down the heat let it simmer about 10 minutes give it a stir now and then so the orzo doesnt stick.
- Bring It Together
- Now for the good part add those meatballs and watch the spinach wilt into the soup. Cover it up for a minute or two until everything is hot and the spinach is just right.
- Final Touch
- Pour in that splash of cream if youre using it sprinkle in some parmesan and give it a taste. Add salt if needed and serve it up steaming hot with extra cheese on top.
Pin it
Extra Tips
This soup gets even better after a day in the fridge when all those flavors really come together. It stays good for about 3 days and freezes beautifully for 2 months just leave out the cream until you reheat it. I love serving this with chunks of crusty bread for dunking or sometimes garlic bread if Im feeling fancy. A sprinkle of fresh herbs on top makes it look gorgeous and adds such bright flavor. The other night I threw in some extra vegetables that needed using up and it was fantastic. This soup is pretty forgiving so play around with it until its just how you like it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare and freeze the meatballs for up to 3 months. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge before adding to the soup, or add them frozen and cook a few minutes longer.
- → What can I substitute for orzo pasta?
Small pasta shapes like pastina, small shells, or even rice work well. Just adjust the cooking time according to package instructions for whatever you choose to use.
- → How can I make this soup dairy-free?
Replace the half and half with coconut milk or cashew cream, and skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative. The soup will still be creamy and delicious.
- → Can this soup be frozen?
The soup base freezes well without the orzo and cream. When reheating, add fresh pasta and stir in cream at the end. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy.
- → What vegetables can I add to this soup?
This soup is versatile - try adding bell peppers, zucchini, green beans, or kale. Add harder vegetables with the onions and tender ones with the spinach.