Gnocchi, Spinach, and Meatball Soup

This is one of those soup dishes ideal for warming the soul during a winter day. This is similar to an Italian wedding soup but creamy with meatballs and potato gnocchi. I make my own chicken stock and meatballs but you can use store-bought.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 381 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 carrot, shredded
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups thinly sliced escarole
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 large bay leaf
• ¾ teaspoon garlic salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed
• 4 (32 ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 (17.5 ounce) packages potato gnocchi
• 6 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or Italian parsley
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or more as needed for serving
• 1 ¼ pounds ground beef
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat and saute onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken stock, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and bring liquid slowly up to a simmer, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, prepare the meatballs. Combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, onion powder, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until well combined. Roll mixture into tiny 1/2-inch meatballs.

Step 3

Once the soup is boiling, carefully drop meatballs one by one into the pot. Bring back up to a slow simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Skim off any gray muck that comes to the top with a spoon and discard.

Step 4

Add carrots, escarole, and gnocchi and bring soup back to a simmer. Stir in half-and-half, spinach, and herbs. When gnocchi rise to the top, remove from heat.

Step 5

Remove bay leaf and serve soup with Parmesan cheese.