Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach
This Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach is the perfect comfort food. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the meatballs tender and the broth rich. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Cheesy Potato Skins with Bacon and Easy Orange Teriyaki Turkey Medallions Recipe.
Why This Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach Is Pure Comfort
- Comforting and hearty
- Better than takeout
- Easy to customize
What You'll Need for Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Ground turkey
- Onion
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Celery
- Orzo
- Spinach
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Chicken broth
- Tomato paste
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Basil
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Ground turkey: Use lean ground turkey for a healthier soup.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfect meatball doneness → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Smooths out the broth for a velvety texture → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach
- Prepare meatballs: Mix ground turkey, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook meatballs: Brown meatballs in a large pot. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until soft.
- Add broth and simmer: Add chicken broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add orzo and meatballs: Stir in orzo and cooked meatballs. Simmer until orzo is tender.
- Add spinach: Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the meatballs. They'll become tough. Remove them from the pot once they're cooked through.
- Tip: For a smoother broth, use an immersion blender to blend some of the vegetables and orzo.
- Tip: Add a can of diced tomatoes for a heartier soup.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: This soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Freezing Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter soup, use ground turkey breast instead of regular ground turkey.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground chicken or beef for the ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the meatballs and vegetables a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the broth is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water or additional chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast iron Dutch oven — Even heat distribution for perfect meatball cooking → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Onion
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Celery
- Orzo
- Spinach
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Chicken broth
- Tomato paste
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese
- Basil
Instructions
- Prepare meatballs: Mix ground turkey, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook meatballs: Brown meatballs in a large pot. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until soft.
- Add broth and simmer: Add chicken broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add orzo and meatballs: Stir in orzo and cooked meatballs. Simmer until orzo is tender.
- Add spinach: Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter soup, use ground turkey breast instead of regular ground turkey.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground chicken or beef for the ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the meatballs and vegetables a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the broth is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water or additional chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: This soup can be made ahead and reheated.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and vegetables a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Overcooking is the most common reason for tough meatballs. Remove them from the pot once they're cooked through.
Yes, you can add other vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
Yes, cook the meatballs separately, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
