Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil, chopped, for serving
Instructions
1. Make the Meatballs
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix gently until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
2. Make the Soup
- While the meatballs are baking, heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer.
- Carefully add the cooked meatballs and broken spaghetti to the pot.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the spaghetti is tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. To Serve
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Enjoy!
Tips
Homemade meatballs: For the best flavor, make your own meatballs! You can adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Type of meat: Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for lighter meatballs.
Customize it: Add other vegetables like chopped carrots, celery, or zucchini to your soup.
Make-ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day, so it’s perfect for meal prepping.
