Meatball Soup / Zuppa di Polpettine
Meatball soup is one of my choices for weekend cooking. I make enough so that it can also make an appearance on the table mid-week served with melted mozzarella cheese sandwiches (See Mozzarella in Carrozza). Saving time: Keeping a container of grated cheese in the refrigerator eliminates a step in this recipe.
Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients
- 2 slices bread, crust removed
- 1/3 cup milk or ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- Salt to taste
- Grinding black pepper
- 1/4 pound ground chuck
- 1/4 pound ground pork
- 1/4 pound ground veal
- One 2-pound bag frozen ready to cook mixed vegetables
- 2 quarts low fat canned chicken or beef broth
- One 28-ounce can diced plum tomatoeS
- Ingredients
Directions
- Shred the bread into small pieces and place them in a bowl. Pour the milk over the bread or stir in the ricotta cheese. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the grated cheese, parsley, lemon zest, salt and pepper and mix well. Add the meats and mix with your hands to blend the ingredients well.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Have a bowl of water handy to keep your hands wet while making the meatballs. Scoop up about 2 teaspoons of the mixture and roll it into a small ball with your hands. Place the meatballs on a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Continue making meatballs and place them on a baking sheet, spacing them so they do not touch one another. Bake the meatballs for about 12 minutes or until they begin to brown. Transfer them with a slotted spoon to a soup pot or crock pot. Stir in the vegetables, and the broth. If the tomatoes are whole and not pre-diced, use a kitchen scissors to cut the tomatoes into bits in the can and add them to the soup. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and cook for 10 minutes.
- Variation: Add 1 cup cooked small pasta like ditalini or elbows to the soup.
This recipe was featured on Season 20 - Episode 2014.
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Comments
Shelly
Love the Show! Watch when ever I can.
M. Stoltz
My husband and I enjoyed watching you make this recipe. We plan to prepare this meal for Christmas. You’re such a wonderful teacher. And I love the fact that you consistently wash your hands.
Phil Rowin
Mary Ann, I am so happy to see that they have finally added you to the line up of chefs on the Create! You should have been they a long time ago. I really enjoy watching your show!
Ciao!!
Claudette L
Mary Ann, I just love to watch your shows and watch whenever I can, usually found very late at night in RI. Hope Create will have you on as a regular.
Ciao
Martha bazan
Please when will u be back on create. Miss u love your show!
Linda Cachine
Followed you for years I watched when your mom was on tje show , lite a candle when she passed, Waited so long to follow you on CREATE TV ,NOW You are not listed any longer.WHAT happened ???? Very sad. We miss you.