Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
- ½ cup raw long-grain rice
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Soup Base:
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato soup
- 2 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning meatballs)
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ cup chopped carrots or celery for added texture
- A pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
-
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, diced onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set them aside on a plate.
-
Brown the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides (they do not need to be fully cooked at this stage).
- Remove the meatballs and set them aside.
-
Prepare the Soup Base
- In the same pot, add the diced tomatoes, tomato soup, beef broth, oregano, smoked paprika, and basil.
- Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
-
Simmer Everything Together
- Carefully add the browned meatballs into the simmering soup.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes, allowing the rice inside the meatballs to expand.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
-
Serve & Enjoy
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with crusty bread or buttered rolls.
Notes
- Make it Leaner: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all canned ingredients are gluten-free and serve with gluten-free bread.
- Keto-Friendly Version: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice and use sugar-free tomato sauce.
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños for extra heat.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg