Nothing says comfort food like soup and our savory Meatball Soup with Noodles is one that can’t be beat. The hearty broth, perfectly seasoned meatballs, and comforting noodles in this easy-to-follow, homemade soup will keep you coming back for more!
My mom would make this soup every so often when we were growing up, but it never felt like it was often enough!
I loved the flavor of the tender vegetables and savory meatballs and my favorite part was topping it with loads of grated parmesan cheese!
I added my own twist by making the meatballs in the air fryer for an even crispier bite.
This recipe works because it’s:
- Healthy and easy. The hardest part of this simple recipe is chopping all the nutritious vegetables.
- Super budget-friendly. This recipe features humble grocery store and pantry staples that combine into a flavorful masterpiece.
- Great for lunch or dinner. Serve this yummy soup for a comforting lunch or a light and cozy dinner.
Step-by-Step Instructions
In a large pot or Dutch oven, add 1 Tablespoon olive oil and heat over medium. Add 1 cup chopped carrots, ½ cup chopped onion, and 1 cup chopped celery and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onions are tender.
Stir in 2 medium potatoes, chopped, 4 cups beef broth, 28 ounces petite diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add 1¼ cup elbow noodles and cook an additional 10 minutes, or until al dente.
While the soup is cooking, mix 1 pound ground beef, 1 egg, and 1 Tablespoon parsley together. Salt and pepper the meat and shape into meatballs (you should get 14).
Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer (you can do this in batches if your basket is smaller).
Cook the meatballs for 12-14 minutes or until browned and the center of the meatball reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add the meatballs to the soup and season with salt and pepper.
Serve topped with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
If you don’t have fresh onions on hand, you can use frozen onions and save yourself from tears while you’re at it!
You can also use frozen meatballs to save a few cooking steps. Cook them in your air fryer according to the package directions.
I hate wasting food, so chop the extra celery stalks and throw them in the freezer to use for your next soup.
Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey (just omit the egg).
If you only have one can of broth, you can replace half the broth with water, mix the beef broth with chicken broth, or try one of these beef broth substitutes.
Serve This With
This meatball soup pairs well with:
Bread
- Jiffy Cornbread with Greek Yogurt
- Cheesy French Bread
- No-Knead Crescent Rolls
- Rhodes Rolls Breadsticks
- Refrigerator Mashed Potato Rolls
- Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
- Parmesan Drop Biscuits
Salad
FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen meatballs. Ensure they are cooked according to the package instructions before adding them to the soup.
Absolutely! Prepare and air fry the meatballs in advance. Store them in the refrigerator and add to the soup when you’re ready to serve.
While the meatball soup can be frozen, it’s recommended to freeze it without the noodles, as they can become mushy upon reheating. Add freshly cooked noodles when you’re ready to enjoy.
Air Fryer Meatball Soup with Noodles
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 cups beef broth
- 28 ounces petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ¼ cup elbow noodles
- Parmesan cheese, optional
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon parsley
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, add olive oil and heat over medium. Add chopped carrots, chopped onion, and chopped celery and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onions are tender.
- Stir in the potatoes, beef broth broth, petite diced tomatoes tomatoes, salt, and Italian seasoning and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add 1¼ cup elbow noodles and cook an additional 10 minutes, or until al dente.
- While the soup is cooking, mix ground beef, egg, and parsley together. Salt and pepper the meat and shape into meatballs (you should get 12-14).
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer (you can do this in batches if your basket is smaller).
- Cook the meatballs for 12-14 minutes or until browned and the center of the meatball reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the meatballs to the soup and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve topped with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese.