I’ve been really into making soups on Sundays lately because, I don’t know, it just kind of feels right. What can I say – a big pot of something warm & bubbly simmering on the stove all afternoon, leaving enough leftovers for lunches all week really does it for me. ;)
This week I modified my recipe for Spicy Tomato & Turkey Soup with Ditalini, and made Spaghetti & Meatball Soup.
I almost couldn’t handle the preciousness of this bowl of soup. I mean, mini meatballs floating amongst tiny spaghetti noodles? Too. Freaking. Cute!
Start the Spaghetti & Meatball Soup by shredding carrots, zucchini and onion, and sauteing them in a big soup pot. You don’t have to add veggies to this soup, but I thought they’d be good to bulk it up, and it’s a really easy way to get them into your diet.
Oh, I forgot to mention I shredded the veggies up in THIS! The new 14 Cup Cuisinart Food Processor Ben got me for Christmas. It’s my pride and joy!
After the veggies are soft, add chicken broth and marinara sauce to the pot, and bring it to a boil.
I used local Gino’s Marinara Sauce. It’s amore.
Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, red chili pepper flakes, and the star of the dish, mini meatballs.
My local grocery stores carry locally made Graziano’s mini meatballs, which are fantastic.
Finally, add cut spaghetti, or any small pasta, and simmer until cooked.
Squee!
Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large carrots or 10 mini carrots shredded
- 1 small zucchini shredded
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- salt and pepper
- 42 oz low-sodium chicken broth
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes optional
- 1 lb prepared mini meatballs
- 1 cup gluten free spaghetti broken into small pieces
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat then add carrots, zucchini, and onions, season with salt and pepper, and saute until tender, 8-10 minutes. Add garlic then saute until very fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red chili pepper flakes then turn the heat up to high to bring to a boil. Once boiling, add meatballs and pasta then stir to combine. Turn heat back down to medium then simmer until pasta is tender. Ladle into bowls then serve.
Notes
- I don't recommend reheating gluten-free pasta as the texture deteriorates.
Nutrition
This was fantastic! Gino’s is a little spicy, so the soup had a nice kick, and the mini meatballs and petite spaghetti noodles just made it fun. I kind of felt like a giant, or something?
Since the carrots and zucchini were shredded, and were the same size as the noodles, I felt like I was getting to eat triple the amount of pasta too. It was awesome. Definitely make this!!!
Mary 01.09.2012
I have the exact same food processor as you, and it truly is a noble beast!! I’ve had it for five years now, and I’ve used for making tremendous amounts of baby food for my three ravenous boys, among other culinary adventures. I can’t live without it! Let’s hear it for the 14-cup Cuisinart! Woo Hoo!
Gail Orcutt 01.09.2012
Wait until you use your food processor to make a cheesecake. It’s SO easy!
I actually liked ending for the movie “Sarah’s Key” better than the book.
I’ve eaten at Tartine three times in the last week! Have you tried it? Everything is great.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2012
Yes – love Tartine! :)
Cheoy Lee 01.09.2012
This looks so warming its incredible. I’d pour on the pepper (the more sneeze-inducing the better!) and enjoy!
AbbieD 01.09.2012
Question IGE…I’ve only looked at Hy-Vee Windsor Heights but didn’t see any Gino’s marinara. Do they keep it with all the other pasta sauces? I did see the Gino’s Italian dressing in a cooler in the produce section so I didn’t know if they kept the marinara in a “special” spot.
Or maybe W.H. just doesn’t carry it. ???
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2012
Yep right with the other sauces. If they don’t have it in stock, just ask the manager and they’ll start carrying it for you!
Sarah 01.09.2012
What a cute bowl of soup, I’m a sucker for mini anything!
I felt the same about Hangover 2, it just seemed like the same movie – but on another continent. But, it did have Bradley Cooper…. :)
Kristin from MN 01.09.2012
I just made meatball and spaghetti soup this week too! I saw a recipe on the blog Life as a Lofthouse. It was delicious! I like your idea of adding the veggies! My only complaint was it doesn’t work so well for leftovers cuz the noodles sucked up all the broth. Did you have that problem?
I love my mini bamboo cutting board. I use it every day!
Erica 01.09.2012
Most of the HyVees should have the Grazianos mini meatballs- ours has them behind the meat counter. If not, check out the Graziano store on the South side… a little bit of heaven!!!
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats 01.09.2012
For sure my kitchenaid mixer!
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables 01.09.2012
I felt exactly the same about both movies. And I’m very jealous of your food processor, I’ve been wanting one of those bad boys for a long time!!
Ashley @ coffee cake and cardio 01.09.2012
That soup looks fantastic!! Yummy! Currently I couldn’t live without my blender… Which oddly enough died this AM. Ill be shopping for a new one tonight for sure!
Bethany 01.09.2012
Totally agree with you on “The Help,” the dresses weren’t the right colors!!!!
I went to Trader Joe’s for the first time this weekend intent on getting the Cookie Butter you talked about… It’s a seasonal item and they were out :-( But I did get some almond butter!
Ris 01.09.2012
This soup looks amazing! I will definitely be trying it soon. And that setup for a movie night looks pretty awesome too!
Melissa 01.09.2012
I agree with you on the “The Help” i really like the movie, but would have enjoyed it more had i not read the book, but it was good!
CycloneMom 01.09.2012
I would have to say my KitchenAid mixer since I bake as a hobby. (Best thing is it was free–a hand-me-down from my sister-in-law when she upgraded to a larger one) This Christmas my hubby bought me an extra bowl (after I told him “buy me this for Christmas”, lol). Love having an extra so I don’t have to wash one after cake/cupcake batter to make frosting.
I finally got a food processor for Christmas–never had one before. Love it already! I’m making the spicy tomato soup today and it will be a cinch to shred carrots. I’m also going to purée the beans because I hate the texture of beans but want all the benefits.
Next I need a new blender. I made a Green Monster yesterday and I’m sure my neighbors down the street could hear it. I kept having to stop and push things down. Looks like I may need a Vitamix! ;)
Allison 01.09.2012
It looks like an amped up, adult version of spaghetti o’s [not say adults can’t eat the childhood fave] ;) I saw that recipe or a similar one on Pinterest and pinned it- def planning to make it! Great idea adding some shredded veggies to bulk it up… I’ve never seen mini meatballs in my grocery stores- I wonder if I used bigger ones and cut them up, if they would hold their shape or crumble?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2012
I’m sure they’d be totally fine!
Melissa 01.09.2012
For me, it’s definitely my Griddler. I blame you for that–I had to have one after you raved about it, and it’s totally my fav now!
I agree about The Help. I wish they had talked more about Skeeter’s relationship, too. They just kind of left it like he was a total jerk, which wasn’t the whole story, ya know? I watched Friends with Benefits and it was really cute! One of those, eh, this might be really dumb movies that pleasantly surprised me!
Jami 01.08.2012
I made this soup today after reading your feature last week. It was so easy and SO good. In fact, I was telling my husband that there were several variations we could do and here you’ve beaten me to the punch. I normally make homemade broth soups on the weekend since they take so long to simmer but I loved how easy this recipe was!
I also love my cuisinart food processor. In fact, my husband used it today to make Pioneer Woman’s Mexican Restaurant salsa – another must try!
Sarah (I Dream of Beets) 01.08.2012
My cornflower blue Kitchenaid Electric Mixer – though I’ve just gotten it, I’m absolutely smitten! So much baking left to do!
jessica 01.08.2012
I love my Kitchenaid Electric Mixer too! Mine is red! I use it for everything, ice cream, cookies, pancakes, pizza dough and even corn bread. Soup looks delicious, I’ve never thought about marinara in soup, great idea!
kellyo 01.08.2012
I got a Cuisinart for a wedding gift…25+ years ago. It has been a great workhorse in my kitchen.
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine 01.08.2012
I think mine would have to be my crock pot…it is hands down the most used thing we registered for, I must use it once a week, I love it! A close second would be my food processor, it just makes things so easy. We got a kitchenaid mixer for Christmas, so by next year it might take the cake :)!