Description
A hearty and flavorful Mexican Meatball Soup featuring tender beef meatballs simmered in a spiced tomato and vegetable broth, perfect for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef (extra lean)
- â…“ cup white rice
- 1 egg
- ½ cup yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
- 2 teaspoons parsley
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¾ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion (diced)
- 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 carrots)
- 1 cup diced celery (about 2 celery ribs)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ cups potatoes (diced 1-inch bite size)
- ½ cup white rice
- 2 (15.9 ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 can green chilis
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 zucchini, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Meatballs: Combine all meatball ingredients including ground beef, rice, egg, onion, garlic, cilantro, parsley, oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and roll mixture into 1 ½ inch meatballs. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing until they become soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Spices: Stir in minced garlic, chili powder, oregano, and paprika into the sautéed vegetables. Cook for 30 seconds, continuously stirring to prevent burning and release the spices’ aromas.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add diced potatoes, white rice, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices, green chilis, and beef broth to the pot. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Meatballs: Carefully add the prepared meatballs to the simmering soup. Let them cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and tender.
- Add Zucchini: Add chopped zucchini to the pot and continue simmering until the rice and vegetables are tender, about an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the soup hot, garnished with your preferred toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, or crunchy tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier soup, add diced jalapeños or increase the amount of chili powder.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the beef broth used is gluten-free certified.
- Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
- To reduce cooking time, use pre-cooked rice in the meatballs and soup base.
