Hearty Italian Meatball Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup uncooked small pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs

Directions

1. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
2. Add the oregano, basil, pepper, salt, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Add the pasta and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Parmesan, parsley, tomato paste, and breadcrumbs. Mix until combined.
5. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and drop into the soup.
6. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
7. Serve warm.

Interesting Facts

• This soup is a great way to use up leftover ground beef.
• You can use any type of small pasta that you like.
• This soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• You can add other vegetables to the soup, such as carrots, celery, or bell peppers.