Italian Beef Meatball Soup

Italian Beef Meatball Soup

If using plain tomato paste, increase Italian seasoning to 1 tsp (5 mL) in the beef meatballs. The meatballs in this recipe may look slightly pink inside even when thoroughly cooked because of the tomato paste.

 

Italian Beef Meatball Soup
Yields6 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time25 minsTotal Time45 mins
 ¾ lb (375 g) Extra Lean/Lean Ground Beef Sirloin or Lean/Extra Lean Ground Beef
 ½ cup (125 mL) fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
 3 tbsp (45 mL) Italian flavoured tomato paste
 ¼ cup (50 mL) chopped fresh parsley
 ¼ cup (50 mL) finely grated carrot
 ¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped green onions
 ½ tsp (2 mL) crushed, dried Italian seasoning
 1 tsp (5 mL) olive oil
 1 cup (250 mL) chopped onion
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 ½ tsp (2 mL) crushed, dried Italian seasoning
 1 container (900 mL) sodium-reduced chicken broth
 ⅓ cup (75 mL) dried orzo or alphabet pasta
 1 cup (250 mL) frozen peas
 1 cup (250 mL) sliced grape tomatoes
1

Combine beef, bread crumbs, tomato paste, 1 tbsp (15 mL) water, parsley, carrot, onions and Italian seasoning in medium bowl. Shape level tablespoonfuls (15 mL) of the mixture into meatballs (about 32). Set aside.

2

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth to pan; bring to a boil. Add pasta and meatballs and return to a simmer. Simmer, covered, over low heat 15 to 20 minutes, until digital instant read thermometer inserted into several meatballs reads 160°F (71°C). Add peas and tomatoes to soup. Reheat to serving temperature.

3

Ladle into shallow soup bowls; sprinkle with parsley, Parmesan and pepper.

Ingredients

 ¾ lb (375 g) Extra Lean/Lean Ground Beef Sirloin or Lean/Extra Lean Ground Beef
 ½ cup (125 mL) fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
 3 tbsp (45 mL) Italian flavoured tomato paste
 ¼ cup (50 mL) chopped fresh parsley
 ¼ cup (50 mL) finely grated carrot
 ¼ cup (50 mL) finely chopped green onions
 ½ tsp (2 mL) crushed, dried Italian seasoning
 1 tsp (5 mL) olive oil
 1 cup (250 mL) chopped onion
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 ½ tsp (2 mL) crushed, dried Italian seasoning
 1 container (900 mL) sodium-reduced chicken broth
 ⅓ cup (75 mL) dried orzo or alphabet pasta
 1 cup (250 mL) frozen peas
 1 cup (250 mL) sliced grape tomatoes

Directions

1

Combine beef, bread crumbs, tomato paste, 1 tbsp (15 mL) water, parsley, carrot, onions and Italian seasoning in medium bowl. Shape level tablespoonfuls (15 mL) of the mixture into meatballs (about 32). Set aside.

2

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth to pan; bring to a boil. Add pasta and meatballs and return to a simmer. Simmer, covered, over low heat 15 to 20 minutes, until digital instant read thermometer inserted into several meatballs reads 160°F (71°C). Add peas and tomatoes to soup. Reheat to serving temperature.

3

Ladle into shallow soup bowls; sprinkle with parsley, Parmesan and pepper.

Italian Beef Meatball Soup