Beef meatball soup
Meatball Soup with Beef
If you are looking for a soup recipe that brings you joy with every spoonful, you have come to the right place! Meatball soup with beef is a traditional dish, full of flavors and love. This recipe will not only warm your soul but will also become a family favorite. Plus, it’s perfect for any season, bringing a touch of comfort on chilly days.
Total preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 40-50 minutes
Number of servings: 6-8 servings
Necessary ingredients
*For meatballs:*
- 600 g ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon rice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon flour (to prevent the meatballs from falling apart)
*For the soup:*
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 1 parsnip root, chopped
- 1 celery root, chopped
- 1 potato, diced
- 2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green), chopped
- 1 tablespoon rice (additional for the soup)
- 3 tomatoes, grated
- 1 l borscht
- 1 bunch of fresh lovage, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried tarragon
Preparing the meatballs
1. Mise en place: Start by preparing all the ingredients. Finely chop the onion, parsley, and prepare the ground meat. This step will help you save time during preparation.
2. Meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the chopped onion, eggs, rice, parsley, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Add the flour to bind the mixture. Mix well with your hands until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. It is essential to knead well so that the meatballs are firm and do not fall apart while boiling.
3. Shaping the meatballs: With wet palms, form small balls from the mixture, being careful to make them the desired size. Roll each meatball in flour to help them stay intact during boiling.
Preparing the soup
4. Preparing the vegetables: In a large pot, add 2-3 tablespoons of oil and sauté the chopped vegetables (carrots, onion, parsnip, celery, potato, and bell peppers) over medium heat. Let them sauté for 5-7 minutes until they become slightly translucent and aromatic.
5. Adding water: After the vegetables have sautéed, add about 3-4 liters of water. Let it boil over medium heat until the vegetables are almost cooked, about 15-20 minutes.
6. Including rice and tomatoes: Once the vegetables are cooked, add the rice (if you want extra texture) and the grated tomatoes. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper to preference.
7. Adding the meatballs: Now is the time to carefully add the meatballs to the pot. Let them boil for 20-30 minutes, ensuring they are fully cooked. You can check if they are cooked by cutting one in half; it should not be pink inside.
8. Finalizing the soup: Once the meatballs are ready, add the borscht and let the soup boil for another 10 minutes. Then, add the freshly chopped lovage and tarragon, stirring gently.
Serving
The meatball soup is served hot, with a generous spoonful of sour cream on top, which will add delicious creaminess. A slice of fresh bread alongside will make the culinary experience even more enjoyable.
Tips and useful advice
- Meat: Choose beef with a moderate fat content to achieve juicy meatballs. A combination of beef and pork can add extra flavor.
- Vegetables: You can adapt the vegetables according to your preferences or the season. Add zucchini, peas, or even pumpkin for a different taste.
- Borscht: If you don’t have borscht on hand, you can use lemon juice or vinegar to add acidity, but borscht gives an authentic taste to the soup.
- Variations: Instead of meatballs, you can add chicken or turkey, or make the soup vegetarian by using vegetables and tofu.
Nutritional benefits
Meatball soup is rich in protein due to the beef and eggs, while the vegetables provide a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. A serving of soup can contain approximately 300-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used and the portion size.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I freeze meatball soup?
Yes, meatball soup can be frozen. Make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers.
2. Can I use already cooked beef?
Yes, you can use cooked beef, but it’s best to add it to the soup towards the end of the cooking process, so it doesn’t become too soft.
3. What other spices can I add?
You can experiment with paprika, thyme, or dill to add extra flavor to your soup.
This meatball soup with beef is not just a dish but also a memory of culinary traditions that bring us together around the table. I hope you enjoy every spoonful and share it with your loved ones! Bon appétit!
Ingredients: For meatballs: 600g minced beef, 2 eggs, 1 onion, 1 tablespoon rice, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tablespoon flour, Vegetables for soup: 3 carrots, 2 onions, 1 parsnip root, celery root, 1 potato, 2 bell peppers, 1 red and 1 green, 1 tablespoon rice, 3 tomatoes, 1L borscht, 1 bunch of fresh lovage, 1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried tarragon.
