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Rigatoni Meatball Soup Recipe

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This Rigatoni Meatball Soup is a cozy and hearty dish loaded with juicy meatballs, tender rigatoni pasta, and a rich tomato broth. It’s the perfect one-pot comfort meal for chilly nights!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)

For the Soup:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups (1 L) chicken or beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • 2 cups rigatoni pasta
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for creaminess)
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped

Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Meatballs

  • In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Cook meatballs for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned. Remove and set aside.

2️⃣ Prepare the Soup Base

  • In the same pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  • Add onions and garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Bring to a gentle boil.

3️⃣ Simmer & Cook Pasta

  • Return the meatballs to the pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add rigatoni pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes, until al dente.

4️⃣ Finish & Serve

  • Stir in heavy cream (if using) and Parmesan cheese.
  • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
  • Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad.

Notes

📌 Want it thicker? Reduce broth by 1 cup for a thicker consistency.
🌶 Spicier? Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
🧄 More Flavor? Use fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky taste.
🍲 Make it Ahead: The soup can be stored in the fridge for 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months!