This delicious pork meatball soup is made with tender homemade meatballs, vegetables, and a rich broth. It is one of our familyโs favorite soup recipes, perfect for late summer or chillier days.
I grew up with variations of this pork meatball soup on the table, and itโs always been a family favorite. Tender little meatballs, a rich and savory broth, plenty of vegetables - nothing fancy, just good, honest food that warms you from the inside out. Just like this Romanian Meatball Soup, which my grandma used to make on repeat.
Ingredients: 14 | Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4-6 | Difficulty: Easy
Check out these tender Pork Meatballs, or make this Cabbage and Meatball Soup.
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Recipe ingredients
Stock: I use the chicken stock I make for Romanian Chicken Soup or turkey bone broth. Otherwise, use good-quality bought stock.
Ground pork for the meatballs. However, you can use ground pork or beef, or ground turkey.
Rice: A small amount of half-cooked rice is mixed into the meatball mixture. It helps bind the meatballs, keeps them tender, and gives them a nice texture as they cook in the soup.
Vegetables: Carrots, zucchini, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
See the recipe card for detailed instructions and full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make pork meatball soup?
Step #1: Cook the washed rice until half done and drain it well.
Step #2: Grate the carrots and zucchini and finely chop the pepper and the onion. Set them aside.
Step #3: To make the pork meatballs, mix rice, ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika. Form small meatballs.
Step #4: Sautรฉ the chopped vegetables for 5 minutes.
Step #5: Add the stock and tomatoes, bring the soup to a boil, and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Step #6: Carefully, add the meatballs to the soup. Let them simmer in the soup for 12-15 minutes or until done. Adjust the taste.
Tip: Add the herbs and adjust the taste with salt, pepper, and vinegar. Start with 1 teaspoon of vinegar and add more according to your taste.
How to Make It More Filling / Optional Additions
Extra rice: Add another 1โ2 tablespoons of uncooked rice along with the stock. It will cook in the broth.
Potatoes: Add 1โ2 small, diced potatoes together with the stock. They cook in the broth and create a more substantial, stew-like texture.
Pasta: A small handful of tiny pasta shapes (like orzo, ditalini, or small shells) added towards the end of cooking makes the soup extra comforting and filling.
Beans or lentils: For extra protein and fiber, add a drained can of beans or a handful of red lentils when simmering the soup. Make the Bratwurst Soup with beans and pasta next.
Make ahead and store
Make ahead: The pork meatball soup is great when served immediately, but even better the next day. Let it cool completely and place the covered pot in the fridge.
Store leftovers for 2-3 days in the fridge and reheat before serving.
You can also freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the fridge and reheat it on the stovetop.
What to serve with the soup?
I always serve this homemade pork meatball soup as a main course and not as a starter; it is filling and perfectly sufficient for a main meal with bread - spelt bread is my favorite - and a little butter.
Pork Meatball Soup
Equipment
- Large soup pot
Ingredients
Pork Meatballs:
- 2ยฝ tablespoons long-grain rice
- 1 lb ground pork Note 1
- 2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
- ยฝ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ยพ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
Soup (Notes 2,3):
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 carrots grated
- 1 medium zucchini grated
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes finely chopped
- 6ยผ cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2-4 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook the rice in salted water for around 7 minutes, or until it is halfway cooked. Drain thoroughly.2ยฝ tablespoons long-grain rice
- Prepare the soup vegetables by grating the carrot and zucchini, and finely chopping the onion and red bell pepper.1 onion + 2 carrots + 1 medium zucchini + 1 red bell pepper
- Make pork meatballs: In a bowl, combine the ground pork, partially cooked rice, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, egg, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly, then form 25โ30 meatballs roughly the size of a walnut. Wetting your hands occasionally will make shaping easier.1 lb ground pork + rice + 2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs + 1 large egg + 2 tablespoons parsley + ยฝ teaspoon sweet paprika + ยพ teaspoon fine sea salt + ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Cook vegetables: Heat the oil in a large pot and sautรฉ the onion, carrot, zucchini, and bell pepper for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped tomatoes and pour in the stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook gently for another 5 minutes.2 tablespoons olive oil + vegetables + 2 medium tomatoes + 6ยผ cups chicken stock + 1 teaspoon thyme
- Simmer meatballs: Gently add the meatballs and thyme to the simmering soup (the easiest way to do it is to place 2-3 meatballs on a slotted spoon and gently lower them into the soup). Simmer the meatballs on medium-low heat for 12โ15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Adjust the taste with salt, pepper, and white wine vinegar, starting with 1 teaspoon and adding more if desired. Add the chopped parsley.2-4 teaspoons white wine vinegar + 2 tablespoons parsley
Notes
- Ground meat: You can also use a mix of pork and beef, just beef, or stick with turkey.
- To make the soup more filling, you can add a little extra rice (1โ2 tablespoons) with the stock, 1 - 2 small diced potatoes for a more stew-like texture, or a very small handful of tiny pasta shapes like orzo, ditalini, or small shells toward the end of cooking. You can also stir in a drained can of beans or a handful of red lentils while the soup simmers.ย
- Make ahead: You can make the soup one day in advance. Let it cool completely and store the covered pot in the fridge.
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