Spinach and White Bean Meatball Soup
My favorite cozy weeknight meatball soup recipe! Made so hearty with white beans, spinach, and the most tender chicken meatballs!
Happy post-Christmas day!
I hope you all had the most amazing Christmas yesterday. I ate about 17 donuts, opened all of my presents, and then finished off my night with some warm monkey bread.
Oh, and among my presents were freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from Grandma, which I had right before bed, in bed actually, with a tall glass of milk. And I’m not sorry about it at all!
Now we have a few more days here in Indianapolis but all I can think about is curling up in my own bed at home with a giant bowl of this soup (with a hidden stash of Grandma’s cookies for dessert, of course), sopping up all this goodness with perfectly toasted crostini bites.
I mean, really, there’s just so much treasure in this soup, from the hearty white beans to the baby spinach to the most tender chicken meatballs. Not to mention, the freshly grated Parmesan on top for that finishing touch!
Spinach and White Bean Meatball Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the chicken meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ⅓ cup Panko
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Panko, Parmesan, oregano, basil, parsley, garlic powder and red pepper flakes, if using; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into 3/4-to-1-inch meatballs, forming about 25-30 meatballs.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the stockpot. Add garlic, onion and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in thyme and basil until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in chicken stock, bay leaves and 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Stir in orzo and meatballs; reduce heat and simmer until orzo is tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and cannellini beans until the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
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Fast ,easy healthy soup
I made this soup a few nights ago on a cold, damp evening, and oh my – it was so, so good! Somehow it manages to be both light and hearty, and it warmed us right to our toes. The flavors were spot-on, the little meatballs were so tender and flavorful, we loved all the veggies in it, and adding the lemon juice at the end really brought everything together perfectly. I’m new to your site, but I’ve already got a few more recipes slated for the weeks to come.
Excellent soup, bravo !
I’ve tried several recipes and am always happy with myself for making a tasty meal! Made the soup today and it’s delicious just too much orzo for me. Will be making beef enchiladas this Sunday. Thank you!
Thanks for your feedback!
This soup is delicious – I would most definitely make it again.
Awesome!
Very good soup. The meatballs were great. I did have to add more broth and adjust seasoning accordingly. I would diffently make again.
Thanks for your feedback, Carol!
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Awesome, i just made it. And it was great. Thank you!
This soup was amazing!!! Although I had to make 2 substitutes the market didn’t have ground chicken or orzo pasta. So I used ground turkey and star pasta and even doubled the recipe. I definitely will make this soup again. Meatballs were so tender and flavorful even the broth. #damdelicious
Awesome!
So good! Doubled recipe except beans and pasta. Everyone loved! Wouldn’t change a thing!
Awesome!
Made it for lunch. But used veggie stock and pork mince as I’m not into chicken. Also put in chopped roasted red peppers. Happy New Year to every one from New Zealand
Thank you, Peter!
Can I bake meatballs instead of doing it on stove top? This looks yummy and I can’t wait to try’
Yes, of course!
This looks so yummy, but finding ground chicken in my area dicey, can ground turkey be used,?
Yes, of course!
I made this tonight to lighten dinner up after too many holiday cookies and hams (not that there’s anything wrong with those!) It was incredibly flavorful and delicious, and so simple to make! Thanks so much for another winning recipe! My husband and I absolutely love all of your recipes!
Thank you! Happy Holidays!