• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Ramona's Cuisine logo
  • BBQ & Grill
  • Main Course
  • Breakfast
  • Side Dishes
  • About me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Main Course
  • Breakfast
  • Side dishes
  • Soup
  • About me
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Main Course
  • Breakfast
  • Side dishes
  • Soup
  • About me
×

Ramona's Cuisine » Lunch

Grandma's Meatball Soup Recipe

Modified: Jan 15, 2022 · Published: Nov 18, 2015 · by Ramona

Jump to Recipe

Enjoy this beautiful meatball soup all throughout the year, especially in the cold season. It warms up your whole being. It is one of those really addictive dishes. My kids are addicted to this and I have to say I still am and probably always will be.

2 meatballs soup bowls, a glimpse of wholemeal bread slices on a chopping board on the right a kitchen towel and green peppers and fresh herbs in the far end

I ate a lot of this soup as a kid, my mum used to make it often and I always loved it. I thought I must share the recipe with you, I am sure you will love it too!! ;-))

We love having it with fresh homemade bread and fresh green chillies or pickled ones. Delicious!

It is one of those soups that go very well with children and even those that do not eat vegetables will definitely eat this! I can guarantee you that if they eat it once they will ask for it again and again. My kids also get very excited about the meatballs which they really enjoy eating and say they are the best meatballs in the whole wide world. They are sweet to say that but I also feel that they are perfectly right and they do know what they are talking about ;-))

How to make this meatball soup?

All it takes is about 20 min of your time, the rest is left for boiling so let the stove do all the work for you.

Start by Making the Meatball Mixture

In a mixing bowl, add the ground meat, add finely chopped onion, add the rice, the eggs, and season with salt and black pepper. Mix well to combine. This is a 3 min activity.

Form the meatballs and set them aside on a plate or chopping board.

Make the meatball soup

Option 1

Take out a larger pot. Place it on medium heat, add the chopped onion, grated or diced carrots, parsnip celery, diced celeriac, courgette/zucchini and the red pepper. Add a drizzle of water or oil if you wish. Cook for a few minutes until softened, stirring regularly.
Add most of the water or broth depending on how you like your soup, add the meatballs, and a little later the canned tomatoes. Season to your taste. At the end garnish with your preferred chopped fresh herbs.

Option 2

See the recipe card - it implies no oil addition, no frying/sautéing the vegetables. It is how I make most of my soups for many, many years now and it is as delicious as the other option.

Cooking Tips

  • Ground meat - in this meatball soup you can use any meat you wish (turkey, pork, lamb, chicken) or even a mix. I like mixing pork with beef, beef with lamb - are particularly good. I always use extra-lean meat as I do not like at all greasy soups.
  • Egg - only add on egg if the mince/ground meat is super lean - anything above 10% far does not require and egg. 
  • The rice - try and use more glutenous rice - helps with the binding. The rice here in this recipe does not require precooking. Simply wash it and it to the meat. 
  • Vegetables - if you do not have, cannot eat or simply do not like vegetables like parsnip, celery, celeriac, do not worry. Other vegetables that could be used in this meatball soup are leeks, swede, yellow, green or orange pepper, green beans, peas or potatoes. If you add potato, make sure these get added after you added the tomato juice/paste as this will help to keep them whole and not get mushy. 
  • Stock - Use any low salt vegetable, beef or lamb and use chicken stock only if you are using chicken or turkey mince. 
  • Fresh herbs - add some freshly chopped parsley and/or lovage only to the soup you will eat and not to the whole soup (if any will be leftover). Herbs are good and make a truly delicious addition when freshly added.

FAQs

How to store any meatball soup leftovers?

This meatball soup recipe serves about 4-6 people. For our little family of 4, we generally (unless we go for seconds) end up with a little bit (1 or 2 bowls) of soup leftovers which always makes a fab lunch starter the next day. If you will have any leftover soup, when this is completely cool, place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for 2-3 days.

Can I freeze the leftover meatball soup?

Yes, absolutely but you will need to make sure the soup it's perfectly cooled before you may freeze it. When you decide to have it, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight and then reheat it to boiling point before serving. You might want to season and add some freshly chopped herbs to give it a refreshing touch.

Other recipes you may like :

  • Potato soup with ham hock and petit pois (garden peas)
  • Black pepper and olive oil homemade white bread
  • 13 winter warming and comforting soup recipes ready in less than one hour

Give this super tasty grandma's meatball soup a try and let me know how you liked it.

2 meatballs soup bowls, a glimpse of wholemeal bread slices on a chopping board on the right a kitchen towel and green peppers and fresh herbs in the far end

Grandma's Meatball Soup Recipe

This is a delightful and hearty meatball soup that contains freshly homemade meatballs and freshly chopped vegetables, all simmered in a rich tomato broth. Perfect lunch or dinner served with some freshly baked bread. Oh,la,la!
5 from 32 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Starter
Cuisine: European Cuisine, Mediterranean, Ramona's Cuisine
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 355kcal
Author: Ramona Sebastian

Equipment

  • bowl
  • pot
  • chopping board
  • knife

Ingredients

Preparing the meatballs:

  • 500 g beef mince (1lb) ground beef (lean -up to 12% fat)
  • 1 small onion
  • 50 g rice (1.76 oz) uncooked *
  • 1 egg (optional) *
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper freshly ground

Preparing the soup:

  • 1.5 l stock (51 fl oz) low salt (vegetable, beef or lamb)
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 large parsnip *
  • 1 large carrot
  • 1/3 small celeriac *
  • 2 sticks celery
  • 1 small red pepper
  • 1 medium courgette/zucchini
  • 1 can tomatoes (400g/ 2 cups) chopped (tinned or freshly chopped)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 10-12 sprigs parsley fresh
Metric - US Imperial

Instructions

  • In a bowl, place the minced beef along with the small finely chopped (or grated) onion, the uncooked and washed rice, salt, pepper and the egg(s) if you chose to use it. Mix all thoroughly and make small bite-size meatballs. Place them on a big plate or a chopping board.
  • Pour the stock into a pot and bring it to a boil.
  • Meanwhile, chop the onion finely, and then chop, dice or grate all the washed vegetables. Cut into small cubes or bigger chunks or even grate them if you prefer. Place them all in a large bowl and set them aside.
  • When the stock is beginning to boil, reduce the heat to medium and gently drop all the meatballs (one by one) with the help of a spoon. Allow them to cook for a few minutes until some foam will gather on the water surface. Remove this foam carefully with a slotted spoon or a skimmer.
  • Add all the chopped vegetables to the soup and let it cook for about 10 mins.
  • Add some salt, tomato paste and the chopped tomatoes and allow to cook (uncovered) on medium heat until it starts boiling when you could reduce the heat to low and cook for a further 20-20mins or until it gets a nice deep red colour. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Place the soup in serving bowls, sprinkle a good pinch of chopped parsley or lovage and serve.

Notes

Salt - if your stock is not low sodium one adjust the salt at the end depending on taste. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 2306mg | Potassium: 1185mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 4908IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 5mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ramonas.cuisine or tag #ramonascuisine!
two white bowls with meatballs soup and spoons in with bread slices on the left and a small serving dish on the right filled with pickled jalapenos some fresh parsley leaves scattered around and a green pepperright

Other Recipes:

  • Grandma’s Twisted French Toast Or ‘Frigănele’
    Grandma’s Twisted French Toast Or ‘Frigănele’
  • Tripe Soup
    Tripe Soup
« Booster Rainbow Salad
Quick 'n' Yummy Mushrooms »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nelly says

    April 21, 2021 at 10:42 am

    5 stars
    I have made this meatballs soup because when I saw the pictures I just had to. It looks and it tastes amazing! It will be a regular in my house going forward. I will try it with other meats too. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe, Ramona! There are a few more recipes that I have saved from your amazing site that I must get done ASAP. Wonderful content here and right up my alley!!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      April 21, 2021 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you so much dear Nelly, I would definitely want to hear more from you on the recipes you will be making 😉 I am super happy you enjoyed my meatballs soup.

      Reply
  2. Deanna says

    March 05, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    5 stars
    Yummy and hearty. Perfect meal for the rainy days we've been having, especially with crusty bread for dipping.

    Reply
  3. Nayomi says

    March 05, 2021 at 4:13 am

    5 stars
    This soup looks super appetising. I can imagine how brilliant it taste with those homemade olive and seed rolls. Absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  4. Raquel says

    March 04, 2021 at 11:25 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Cannot wait to make this!

    Reply
  5. Alexandra says

    March 04, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    5 stars
    Hearty, delicious and full of flavour - this is my new favourite soup recipe. It is so comforting!

    Reply
  6. Ksenia prints says

    March 04, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    5 stars
    Love that this recipe honours your grandma. You really did it justice!

    Reply
  7. Kris says

    March 04, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    5 stars
    We loved this, and garlic bread tasted great dipped into the broth.

    Reply
  8. Audrey says

    March 03, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    5 stars
    You know any recipe with Grandma in the title has got to be good!!

    Reply
  9. Nicki says

    June 17, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    5 stars
    I gave this recipe to mum, she made the soup and it was delicious!

    Reply
    • Ramona says

      June 18, 2020 at 12:45 pm

      Yayy, thank you Nicki, I am super happy you liked the soup. It is a very nice soup indeed, kids love it too especially the meatballs 😉

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





Primary Sidebar

Hey, I'm Ramona and I ♥ making healthy living easy and delicious!!

I am a full-time mother, I work and I also do ♥ volunteering.

More about me →

Spring Recipes

  • Feta and ricotta cheese with spinach and dill filo wraps
    Feta And Ricotta Cheese With Spinach And Dill Filo Wraps
  • Vegan Lentil meatballs on a little white plate.
    Vegan Lentil Meatballs (Mercımek Kofte)
  • Two fancy glasses of elderflower cordial, decorated with sugar glacéd lemon slices and raspberry skewers and mint leaves with metallic straws tucked in
    Easy Elderflower Cordial
  • Shakshuka in a pan birds view with scattered fresh chopped parsley a couple of tiny tomato paste cans top left and some fresh tomatoes at the top right of the picture cutlery on the right
    Delicious Shakshuka Recipe
  • Halibut chunks on polenta topped with vegetables
    Mediterranean Halibut Recipe
  • Almond flour cake with apricots, coconut and mint
    Almond Flour Cake With Apricots, Coconut And Mint

Popular Recipes

  • Homemade mici - romanian garlicky meat open sausages
    Homemade Mici - The Famous Romanian Garlicky Meat Sausages
  • Birdsview Monkfish curry garnished with two slices of fresh lemon and fresh herbs served in a blue soup bowl
    Delicious Monkfish Curry
  • Homemade Sausages
    Easy Homemade Sausages
  • Healthy homemade mayonnaise in a blue bowl with a silver spoon
    Healthy Homemade Mayonnaise
  • Close up of deep orange-red junky quince jam in a preserve jar with the lid opened and a teaspoon in
    Perfect quince jam
  • Subway Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Subway Cookies Recipe

Footer

↑ back to top

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 Ramona's Cuisine

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT