Pioneer Woman Meatball Soup Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Meatball Soup is a hearty and classic recipe, which is made with ground beef and Parmesan cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Meatball Soup Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 3/4 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
• 3 Tbsp. chopped, fresh parsley
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. ground oregano
• 2 tsp. lemon juice

For the Soup:

• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 7 cups low-sodium beef stock
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. black peppercorns
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped carrot
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped russet potato
• 1/2 lb. green cabbage, thinly sliced

How To Make Pioneer Woman Meatball Soup

1. Mix and chill the meatballs: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, parmesan, chopped parsley, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and lemon juice with your hands. Shape the mixture into about 24 small (1-inch) balls and place them on a plate. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2. Brown the meatballs: After chilling, heat the olive oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Briefly brown the meatballs on all sides, then remove them to a clean plate.
3. Simmer the broth: To the same pot, add the beef stock, 2 cups of water, salt, and tomato paste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
4. Infuse the broth: Place the parsley leaves, bay leaves, and black peppercorns in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it into a secure bundle. Add this herb bundle to the simmering pot.
5. Cook the vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot. Let the soup simmer for 15 more minutes, then remove and discard the herb bundle.
6. Finish the soup: Add the thinly sliced cabbage and the browned meatballs to the pot. Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cabbage is tender.
7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top.

Recipe Tips

• How to get tender meatballs? The key is to not overwork the meat mixture. Combine the ingredients gently with your hands only until they are just incorporated. Overworking the meat will result in tough, dense meatballs.
• Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying? Yes. For a healthier, hands-off method, you can bake the meatballs on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, until browned, before adding them to the soup to simmer.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This is a perfect make-ahead soup. The flavors will continue to meld and deepen as it sits. You can make it up to 2 days in advance and reheat it gently on the stove.
• What is a cheesecloth bundle? This is a classic technique, also known as a “bouquet garni,” for infusing broths with the flavor of whole herbs and spices without having to fish them out one by one at the end.

What To Serve With Meatball Soup

This hearty soup is a complete meal in a bowl, but it’s also delicious with:

• A slice of warm, crusty bread with butter
• A simple Caesar salad
• Cheesy garlic breadsticks

How To Store Meatball Soup

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor is often even better the next day.
• Freeze: This soup freezes very well. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meatball Soup Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Fat: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 30g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Potsticker Soup Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Mulligatawny Soup Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Crockpot French Onion Soup Recipe