Description
A comforting soup featuring tender meatballs, delicate orzo pasta, and vibrant greens in a richly flavored broth. Perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup escarole, chopped
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, and onion powder. Mix gently until just combined. Shape into 3/4-inch meatballs and set aside.
- In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add escarole, orzo pasta, carrot, and prepared meatballs to the pot.
- Reduce heat to medium and maintain a gentle boil. Stir occasionally to prevent orzo from sticking. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and meatballs are cooked through.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, substitute bread crumbs and orzo with gluten-free options. Use fresh greens for the best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: soup, Italian, comfort food, meatballs, orzo