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–+ servings
italian meatball soup with pesto and couscous

Italian Meatball Soup

Tender pork meatballs, pearl couscous, and a bright herbed broth come together in this cozy Italian Meatball Soup. It’s freezer-friendly, easy to make, and perfect for meal prep.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Soup
Servings 6
Calories 577 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs

For Soup Base:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ cups red onion diced
  • 1 cup carrots sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons ground thyme
  • 2 teaspoons ground sage
  • 8-10 cups chicken broth
  • ⅓ cup pesto
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 6 cups fresh spinach chopped
  • 7 oz jarred roasted red peppers drained and diced
  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Shaved Parmesan for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix ground pork, Parmesan, panko, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and eggs. Form into bite-sized meatballs and place on a baking sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, and sage; cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and pesto. Bring to boil, then simmer 10 minutes.
  • Stir in pearl couscous; simmer 15-20 minutes until tender.
  • Add roasted red peppers, meatballs, and spinach. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer 5 more minutes.
  • Serve garnished with shaved Parmesan.

Notes

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
  • Freezer-Friendly: Freeze the soup base (without couscous) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and adding freshly cooked couscous.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in the meatballs and substitute pearl couscous with gluten-free pasta or rice.
  • Nutrition information is an estimate only. 

Nutrition

Calories: 577kcalCarbohydrates: 33.3gProtein: 37gFat: 31.6gSaturated Fat: 10.3gCholesterol: 157.2mgFiber: 1.4gSugar: 2.6g
Keyword italian meatball soup
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