Ingredients
Meatballs
- 24 turkey meatballs
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 2-3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 large garlic cloves, diced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning mix
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cup (300 ml) tomato sauce (passata)
- 5 cups (1.25 liter) chicken stock
- 3/4 cup (150 g) orzo
Additions
- 2 cups (75 g) baby spinach
- 1/2 cup (100 ml) half and half (single cream)
- 1/3 cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery stalks, cooking them for 7-8 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Stir in the diced garlic, Italian seasoning mix, and red chili flakes. Cook everything together for about one more minute to release the flavors.
- Add Tomato Elements and Liquids: Mix in the tomato paste and tomato sauce (passata). Pour in the chicken stock and add the orzo pasta, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add Meatballs and Spinach: Stir in the turkey meatballs and baby spinach. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the meatballs are warmed through.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the half and half and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot, with extra Parmesan on top if desired.
Notes
- You can prepare the turkey meatballs ahead of time or use store-bought for a quicker meal.
- Adjust red chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder soup.
- For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken stock if available.
- Substitute orzo with small pasta shapes like ditalini if desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American