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!!!
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Sally Starrfield 02.03.2013
I adore this spaghetti and meatball soup and have made it several times in the last 2 months! This is what I asked my girlfriend to cook for my birthday meal next week. I’ve made a skinny version–turkey meatballs, 1/2 the cut spaghetti, and more of the zucchini. I usually cook the broth a little longer than the original recipes calls for, so it reduces and gets thicker. Mmmm…
Rena 01.23.2013
Wow! Made my own tomato sauce and meatballs and yum!!!! Thank you!
Veronica 09.21.2012
Which HyVee do you shop at? I’ve never seen those mini Graziano meatballs at HyVee before. Those are awesome! That cut spaghetti is really neato, too.
Iowa Girl Eats 09.22.2012
I have found the meatballs at the 74th St and West Glen HyVees!
lauren 04.20.2012
I just made this soup for the second time. we love it. I added way more veggies this time, can’t get enough. mmmm. I’m just about to enjoy a bowl and I cannot wait!!!
Tracy @ Babies Love Baked Goods 02.19.2012
We made this for Sunday Soup Supper tonight and it was FAB. I love the addition of zucchini & carrots. Yum Yum!
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Rachel 02.14.2012
I am making this tonight! i cant wait! and its the perfect day for a good soup! cold and snowy!!! I think I may add some fresh basil! what do you think?? and any suggestions for how i might do the carrots and zucchini if I dont have that food processor thing! haha
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Jenna 02.07.2012
This looks really good and easy if you have pre-made meatballs. Gonna try this soon.
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TeachNRun 01.12.2012
I made this for our family this week. We loved it! A piece of garlic bread and side salad were perfect sides. Thanks for sharing :)
Laura @ Mrs in the Making 01.11.2012
I’m so not from where you are that I haven’t got the slightest idea what a Hy-Vee is… lol. I’m going to try out your recipe tomorrow and I CAN’T WAIT! I couldn’t find any already prepared meatballs at my grocery so I’m going to do it myself (oh yikes. That’s an undertaking).
I haven’t seen the Help yet, but I LOVED the book. Your summary of Hangover 2 make me laugh out loud, literally, because just two nights ago my boyfriend and I watched it, and I said the exact same thing.
My can’t-live-without kitchen tool is definitely my Blendtec blender, because I am seriously smoothie-obsessed. Coming in at a close second are my Pampered Chef garlic mincer (people actually chop garlic? for real?) and my programmable Cuisinart coffeemaker, without which I would not get up in the mornings. :)
Cristy R 01.10.2012
I just got a Breville Smart oven for Christmas and it has become my cant-live-without tool. Before it was my Vitamix. Making this soup NOW. Can’t wait to taste!!!!
Jeri 01.09.2012
ok this is twice now that I have seen you use the mini meatballs from Hy-Vee, yet I have spent HOURS in Hy-Vee trying to find them. WHERE are they???
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2012
They are usually by the Italian sausage and ground turkey. Just ask the meat counter guys the next time you can’t find them!
Jeri 01.10.2012
Thank you so much, I will do that this week when I go grocery shopping!
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AbberJabber 01.09.2012
Haha, my husband and I had the exact same movie night on Saturday! We both loved The Help, although I hadn’t read the book yet.