Turkey Meatball Orzo Soup is the perfect family weeknight dinner. This filling and healthful supper is ready in just thirty minutes!
Are you looking for a hearty, healthy, and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner? Look no further than orzo turkey meatball soup! This easy-to-make soup is packed with protein, vegetables, and delicious Italian flavors.
This recipe combines the best of both worlds: the classic Italian wedding soup and a comforting, home-style meal. It’s a healthier take on the traditional recipe, using ground turkey instead of beef and orzo pasta instead of acini de pepe.
Why You’ll Love This Orzo Turkey Meatball Soup:
- Quick and easy to make: This soup comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy and hearty: It’s packed with protein from the turkey meatballs, vegetables, and orzo pasta.
- Flavorful and delicious: The combination of Italian herbs and spices creates a rich and flavorful broth.
- Kid-friendly: This soup is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, herbs, or spices.
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
For garnish:
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Prepare the meatballs: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about ½ tablespoon each. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Prepare the soup: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-high. Add the orzo and cooked meatballs to the pot. Cook for 7 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add spinach (optional): Stir in the baby spinach and cook for 1 minute, or until wilted.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Make the meatballs ahead of time: You can cook the meatballs up to 2 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to make the soup, simply add the meatballs to the pot with the orzo.
- Use different vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the soup, such as celery, broccoli, or bell peppers.
- Make it vegetarian: To make a vegetarian version of this soup, simply omit the meatballs and add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas instead.
- Freeze the soup: This soup can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is orzo?
Orzo is a type of pasta that is shaped like rice, It’s a great addition to soups and salads because it adds a nice chewy texture,
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any type of small pasta in this soup, such as ditalini, acini de pepe, or even elbow macaroni.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this soup in a slow cooker. Simply brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
What should I serve with this soup?
This soup is delicious served with a side of crusty bread, a green salad, or a simple side dish like roasted vegetables.
Orzo turkey meatball soup is a delicious, easy, and healthy meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s packed with protein, vegetables, and flavor, and it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, give this soup a try! You won’t be disappointed.
Popular Orzo Soup Add Ins
- Meatballs: Use store-bought Italian beef meatballs in place of turkey ones.
- Sausage: Take out the casing from store-bought sausage and break it up into bite-sized pieces before sautéing the onions, garlic, and carrots for the soup base. Add the vegetables and continue cooking the soup after sautéing them for 3–4 minutes, or until they are just cooked through.
- Vegetables: Add any additional vegetables you have on hand, such as mushrooms, celery, broccoli, bell peppers, and green beans, to the soup.
- Vegetarian Options: Use red kidney beans, lentils, white beans, or cannellini beans in place of the meat in the meatballs or sausage, and use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth. For a vegan soup option, substitute the parmesan cheese and adhere to the previously mentioned vegetarian substitutions.
Turkey Meatball Orzo Soup Recipe
From a young age I have always loved cooking. I threw my first dinner party for five of my school pals when I was fifteen years old. This turkey meatball orzo soup was served as an appetizer on the menu, and more than 13 years later, I’m excited to be sharing this recipe with all of you on my food blog.
This recipe is one of those hearty, simple, homemade dinners that warms the soul; it has been a household mainstay and family favorite for many years, and my friends were very impressed with it too!
A more healthful version of the traditional Italian wedding soup is turkey meatball orzo soup. The biggest difference is that orzo pasta is used in place of acini de pepe and turkey is used to make the meatballs instead of beef. Acini de pepe are little round balls, while orzo is a type of pasta shaped like rice.
Ground turkey is lean with very little fat. The meat is combined with a mixture of breadcrumbs and eggs to keep it moist and tender. It forms a paste that, when cooked, keeps the meatballs incredibly moist.
This hearty soup is simple to make and can be enjoyed any night of the week. The whole recipe comes together in 30 minutes, but the heartiness of the vegetables and the tender meatballs keep the flavor rich and full. You can even cook and freeze the meatballs in advance to save prep time, or use store-bought meatballs! As mentioned below, you can add additional vegetables to make the soup even heartier. You have to try my butternut squash soup if you enjoy soup as much as I do!