Description
Rich, hearty Spinach and White Bean Meatball Soup brings comfort straight from Italian kitchens to dinner tables. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, inviting home cooks to savor each warming spoonful with delightful herbs and protein-packed ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken (or beef)
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (or panko)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Soup Base and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 (15-ounce) can white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Juice of ½ lemon (for brightness)
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Craft a robust mixture by blending ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, oregano, and seasonings, ensuring ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing.
- Gently shape the meat mixture into uniform, bite-sized spheres approximately one inch in diameter.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium temperature, creating a golden-brown exterior on each meatball by rotating them systematically for roughly five minutes.
- Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate, reserving the flavorful residue in the pot.
- Sauté diced onions, crushed garlic, and sliced carrots in the same pot, allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence for three to four minutes.
- Introduce white beans, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and additional salt and pepper to the vegetable base, bringing the liquid to a gentle bubbling state before reducing heat.
- Carefully reintegrate the golden-brown meatballs into the simmering liquid, allowing them to cook thoroughly for ten to twelve minutes.
- Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they gracefully wilt and transform into a vibrant green.
- Enhance the soup’s brightness by squeezing fresh lemon juice throughout the preparation.
- Serve the hearty soup in individual bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley.
- Complement the meal with crusty artisan bread or a crisp side salad for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Select ground turkey with a slightly higher fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during cooking.
- Chill meatball mixture for 15-20 minutes before forming to help them hold shape and prevent falling apart in the soup.
- Swap ground turkey with plant-based alternatives like lentils or beyond meat for vegetarian and vegan friendly version, adjusting seasoning accordingly.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels, allowing flexibility in seasoning and catering to dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg