Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs
User Reviews
4.9
Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs
Description
Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs features a flavorful broth made from crushed tomatoes and light coconut milk, providing creaminess without heavy dairy. Mini turkey meatballs are seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes for mild heat, browned for added depth, then simmered in the soup to finish cooking. Orzo pasta cooks directly in the broth, absorbing the flavors and lending a tender bite. Fresh spinach stirred in toward the end adds a mild green note and vibrant color. The soup is seasoned with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, balanced between creamy and tangy elements.
Cooking begins by searing the mini meatballs to develop browning, then sautéing aromatics like garlic, onion, and carrot to soften them. Combining these with crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, broth, orzo, and seasonings creates a rich, thickened base. The meatballs return to the pot to simmer gently, allowing the flavors to meld and the pasta to tenderize.
This soup can be served topped with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and an optional dollop of basil pesto to enrich the herbal profile. It works well as a standalone meal due to its protein, vegetables, and pasta balance, or paired with crusty bread for dipping.
For variations and slow cooker adaptations, readers can refer to the additional guidance provided in the original recipe notes and post.
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey 93% lean
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- basil pesto optional, 2 tablespoons, recommended
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
- For the soup:
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 carrot large, sliced
- 1 crushed tomatoes 28 ounce can
- 1 coconut milk light, 15 ounce can
- 4 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 6 ounces orzo uncooked, about 1 cup uncooked orzo
- ½ teaspoon salt
- black pepper freshly ground
- For mix-ins:
- 2-3 cups spinach organic
- For serving:
- Parmesan Cheese fresh shredded
- basil pesto extra
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use your hands to combine the turkey, breadcrumbs, italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, pesto, salt and pepper. Mix together until well combined and roll into approximately 40-45 1/2 inch mini sized meatballs.
- Place a large skillet over medium high heat and add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides. This will take about 5-6 minutes per batch. You don't need to cook them all the way through, as they will finish cooking in the soup. Once meatballs have browned nicely, transfer them to a large plate and set aside.
- In a large pot, add in ½ tablespoon olive oil and place over medium heat. Add in garlic, onion and carrot and saute until onion and carrots slightly soften, about 3-5 minutes. Next add in crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, orzo, salt and pepper and stir well. Add in browned meatballs back into the soup. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally stir in spinach and cook for another minute or until spinach wilts. Taste soup and adjust seasonings as necessary, adding more salt and pepper if you’d like.
- Serve soup immediately with extra basil pesto swirled in, parmesan, crackers and/or garlic bread. Serves 6.
Notes
- Mini turkey meatballs are browned in batches before simmering in the soup to develop flavor and texture.
- Optional basil pesto can be added to the meatball mixture or as a garnish to enhance herbal notes.
- The soup can be made in a slow cooker following detailed instructions in the full recipe post.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 370 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving (based on 6) | |
| Calories | 370cal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 38.7g | 13% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 13.1g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 5.5g | 28% |
| Fiber | 5.5g | 22% |
| Sugar | 8.6g | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
You'll Also Love
