Monica’s Mini Meatball Minestrone
Monica’s mini meatball minestrone. Go ahead, I know you want to: Say it five times fast.
Well done.
But really, this is serious business: You see, if you haven’t decided what to make for Christmas Eve dinner yet, then I’m pretty sure this post was written especially for you.
Like really.
You see, I started obsessing about this soup weeks ago. I pondered the hearty minestrone base (minestrone is like one of my favorite things in the world). Then I couldn’t quit thinking about meatballs. Little…itty, bitty, meatballs.
You see, I just had this nagging feeling that someone out there is trying to decide what to make for dinner on Christmas Eve. (I do that pretty much every year.) And I knew I wouldn’t rest until I nailed this recipe and shared it with you.
(Of course–this recipe would be great for Christmas — or any other day — too, but I always think of Christmas Eve as a busy one–with church and parties and so on. Soup is just perfect for that.)
Well now that I created this delicious-yet-simple, holiday soup recipe, I am so happy. I think you’re going to love it, and I’ll definitely sleep better at night now knowing that millions, thousands, my family if no one else, will have a wonderful meal on Christmas Eve.
Side note on teenagers and meatballs: In my opinion, meatballs are about the very best thing to make if you have teenage boys in the house. But you can’t just make one batch; you should always make three batches. One entire batch will be eaten literally as you pull them out of the oven. (I’m also guilty there.) These are like the best pop-in-your-mouth, protein-packed, salty snacks a teenage boy or stressed out mom can imagine. (Side-note to the side note: A generous sprinkling of salt and pepper is the key to great meatballs.) Anyways, obviously you use the second batch for the soup. Then the third batch? Either you can toss them on some spaghetti a day or two later, OR…Freeze them in a ziplock bag! You will thank your own sweet self on some busy day when you remember that those delicious meatballs are ready and waiting in the freezer.
I know, sometimes I think I might be a genius.
(Final) side note: You CAN buy frozen meatballs. In fact, as part of the experimenting/recipe prep for this soup I bought frozen turkey meatballs at Costco, and they were actually quite good. But they were large, and honestly, they just weren’t as good as homemade. So bottom line: in a pinch, it’s ok to use store-bought frozen meatballs. (But only in a pinch. K?)
And yes we’re officially done with the side-notes now, I promise.
I’ll leave you with the printable recipe now and let you get back to the holidays. 🙂
I hope you’ll share this with your friends using the social media buttons on this page. You never know if someone else is trying to decide what to make for their holiday meals… #thestruggleisreal. So spread the love and share the recipe!
Also: if you decide to make this for a holiday meal, please let me know. It will make me oh-so-happy. Clearly.
Here’s the printable recipe:
Monica's Mini Meatball Minestrone
Ingredients
- For meatballs:
- 20 oz 1.3 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs itallian seasoned if you like
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- For Soup:
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 1/2- 1 cup zucchini diced
- 1/2 cup celery diced
- 2-3 minced garlic cloves I used minced garlic from a jar-
- 2 cans great northern beans kidney or garbanzo or any combination of beans would be great too.
- 1-2 cans diced tomatoes 14.5 oz. cans(depends on how tomato-y you like it. ;))
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp. itallian seasonings or your choice of seasonings. (or your choice of seasonings.
- 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper
- 1-2 cups fresh kale or spinach chopped.
- Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
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Meatballs:
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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In a large bowl combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and cheese. Combine well (use hands to combine best.) Roll into small meatballs (the smaller the better!) and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, turning them to cover well.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes checking for them to be browned.
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Soup:
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Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic and state until soft and fragrant. Add carrots and celery and continue to salute for about fifteen minutes.
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Add the broth, canned tomatoes, beans, and seasonings, and cook over low-medium heat for 30-45 minutes. Add zucchini and meatballs and simmer about 10 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Add spinach or kale for just the last five minutes. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
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Serve with fresh parmesan cheese and a piece of crusty bread!
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ENJOY!
PS About meatballs (see, I promised no more side-notes but I just had to add…) I shared a recipe for some really wonderful, nutrition-packed meatballs a while back. They had quinoa and super-chopped veggies in them. If that sounds good to you, check out the recipe HERE.
PPS More good things to make for teenage boys? A breakfast my boys are crazy about is my baked crunchy french toast. And this thai coconut curry is (still) their all-time favorite dinner. (and still super easy to make!) 🙂 Enjoy!
Monica, I just came across your minestrone recipe. It looks great and is funny, too. I have great respect for carrots and celery but to stand and salute them for 15 minutes is asking a bit much from the cook. (LOL)
I will double this and take it to a church soup supper. Mary
This is very timely as I was looking for a new soup recipe specifically for my Christmas Eve menu. I typically do a sausage/potato soup, but my brother is diabetic and shouldn’t eat such a potato heavy soup. So this recipe is a lot friendlier for him and I am making it tomorrow for Christmas Eve dinner. Thanks!
Oh so happy to hear that Jill! I hope you all love it! 🙂 Merry Merry Christmas to you and your family! XO
Made this the other night and it was delicious! Rave reviews. Will be making it again. Thank you!
great minds think alike!!! totally agree that the key is extra salt & pepper…and yes I too am guilty of eating my portion while I cook:) I made mine gluten free by shredding a zucchini in & i use organic dijon mustard (somehow adds a great flavor)😊 and an egg. Made them couple weeks ago too & literally was so happy that i froze a batch because dinner was so quick & effortless a few nites latter when I was short for time. we like to just make a quick red sauce with sautéed garlic, onion, olive oil, salt/pepper & tomato sauce & dip meat balls in and have a big salad! Happy Gluten Free meal for everyone & less dishes in sink! Can’t wait to make your soup with meat balls, great idea & I love soups, thank you:))
I’m excited to try your recipe, Monica! Next time you make it, consider swapping out chicken for veggie broth and breadcrumbs for oatmeal (regular not instant). It makes the meatballs so moist! Would love to hear what you think. Merry Christmas!
Hey Jen, thank you! And so glad you mentioned the oatmeal–I meant to include that because I made one batch using oatmeal! My Dad has Celiac disease so I am always playing with gluten free options! 🙂 I might have to go back and add that in! Much aloha, and Merry Christmas to you, too!
Just made it today – what a hit! And truth be told, I liked the chicken broth better. Great idea!
I’m planning to try this out this week! I make mini meatballs, too. I guess I never thought about using them as a snack for hungry teenagers. Can you give me some more snack suggestions on the healthier side? I have a very healthy food eater and a carb crazy one that is in healthful eating training right now. I think something that’s easy for them to fix QUICKLY when they are almost fainting away from hunger ;-). Or anything like these meatballs that I can have in the fridge ready to go. So maybe you could post on quick, teen snacks? Merry Christmas!
HI Rebekah! Great post idea. I’d love to do that! 🙂 Keep an eye out in the New year! And hope you enjoy the soup!! (Also great job on the healthful eating training plan…it all starts at home!) XO
this is so great! thanks for sharing. i have a house full of teenage boys and am always looking for meal ideas.
Yay–Great Julie. Let me know how that house full of teenagers likes the soup! 🙂 XO