Italian Meatball Soup – A hearty, flavorful soup with tender meatballs, ditalini pasta, and a rich tomato broth. This easy one-pot meal comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Italian Meatball Soup is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s simple, hearty, and packed with flavor without requiring much effort. The meatballs simmer in a rich tomato broth, soaking up all those classic Italian seasonings while the pasta cooks right in the pot. It’s comforting, filling, and comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

If you love a good bowl of Italian flavors, Spaghetti and Meatball Soup and Italian Sausage Soup are two more easy, cozy options to try. This version keeps things simple with frozen meatballs for a fast prep, but homemade ones work just as well. The ditalini pasta adds just the right amount of chew, and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top ties everything together.
It’s one of those dishes that gets even better as it sits, so don’t be surprised if the leftovers taste even richer the next day. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner, a meal to prep for the week, or just something cozy to fill your bowl, this soup delivers.

Why You’ll Love Italian Meatball Soup
- One-pot simplicity – Everything cooks in a single pot, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Great for meal prep – The flavors get even better the next day, making it a perfect option for leftovers or work lunches. - Kid-friendly and family-approved – The tender meatballs and pasta make it a meal that both kids and adults will love.
- Freezer-friendly for easy meals later– Make a big batch and freeze portions for a quick, homemade meal anytime.

What You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken Stock – you can use low sodium if you want to cut down on the salt
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Tomato Sauce
- Italian Seasoning
- Frozen Italian Meatballs – you can use homemade, but store bought frozen meatballs make these a weeknight favorite.
- Ditalini Pasta – any small pasta will work
- Salt & Pepper
- Parsley (Optional, for garnish)
- Parmesan Cheese (Optional, for garnish)

How To Make Italian Meatball Soup
- Sauté the aromatics – Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat, then cook the chopped onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the broth – Pour in the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Add the meatballs – Drop the frozen meatballs into the pot, bring everything to a boil, and let them absorb the flavors.
- Cook the pasta – Stir in the uncooked ditalini pasta and let it simmer for about 8–10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- Season to taste – Add salt and pepper as needed, adjusting the flavors to your preference.
- Serve with toppings – Ladle the soup into bowls and top with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Enjoy hot – Serve immediately with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use homemade or store-bought meatballs – Frozen meatballs make this soup quick and easy, but if you have homemade meatballs, they’ll add even more flavor.
- Swap the pasta if needed – Ditalini works great, but any small pasta like orzo, elbows, or mini shells will work just as well.
- Add extra veggies for more nutrition – Stir in chopped spinach, zucchini, or carrots for a heartier, veggie-packed soup.
- Make it creamier – For a richer texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half just before serving.
- Adjust the consistency – If the soup thickens as it sits, add a little extra broth when reheating to loosen it up.
- Boost the flavor with a Parmesan rind – Drop in a Parmesan rind while the soup simmers for an extra depth of flavor, then remove it before serving.
- Make it spicy – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for a little heat.
- Freeze for an easy meal later – Let the soup cool completely, then freeze it in airtight containers. Just leave out the pasta and add it fresh when reheating to prevent it from getting too soft.
Swap out the ditalini pasta for a gluten-free pasta, or use cooked rice or quinoa instead. Double-check that your meatballs and broth are also gluten-free.
Both the pasta and the meatballs will really soak up the broth as it sits, so it isn’t one that gets better the next day. It is best served the day of, or if you can store the meatballs and pasta separately then you can assemble and make it ahead.

Serving Meatball Soup
A side of crusty bread, garlic bread, or a simple green salad makes the perfect pairing. You can also sprinkle extra Parmesan on top for even more flavor!
Cheesy Quick Bread is a savory quick bread that would go really well with this soup. Or you could serve veggies on the side like Roasted Asparagus or Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts.
In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until you can start to smell it.
1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1/2 onion, 2 cloves Garlic
Pour in chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Mix to combine. Add meatballs and bring the mixture to a boil.
6 cups Chicken broth, 15 oz crushed tomatoes, 15 oz tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, 1 pound Frozen Italian Meatballs
Once boiling, add the pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until pasta is cooked.
1 1/2 cups Ditalini Pasta
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Salt and Pepper
Serve immediately topped with parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Parsley, Parmesan cheese
Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 818mg | Potassium: 1002mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 478IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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