Easy Italian Meatball Soup with Zucchini Noodles

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an overhead shot of a white bowl of soup with meatballs and zucchini noodles
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Soup season gives me all the cozy feels. I wanted to make an easy soup that doubles as a full entree or an appetizer and this Italian meatball soup is exactly what I was looking for. 

A low-carb, high-protein soup that has tons of flavor from tangy tomato broth, tender meatballs, and Italian seasonings. The added zucchini noodles (zoodles) give it even more heartiness. Perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinner! 

What Makes This Recipe Great

One-pot meals are my favorite! Weโ€™re all super busy and I donโ€™t know about you, but sometimes Iโ€™m sick of the dishes, but still want a healthy homemade meal. Enter, Italian meatball soup with zucchini noodles! 

This low-carb soup turns ready-made meatballs, broth, veggies, and canned tomatoes into a tangy, flavorful soup full of protein. The added zoodles are a low-carb replacement for pasta. Same flavors and textures, but healthier! 

If you love hearty soups, try my Low Carb Taco Soup or this No Bean Chili!

Ingredient Notes

recipe ingredients labeled
  • Meatballs: I used Honeysuckle White Italian Meatballs. Feel free to use the frozen Italian meatballs of your choice. You can use beef meatballs, turkey meatballs, or chicken meatballs. 
  • Spiralized Zucchini: You can buy zoodles frozen or already prepared. You can also spiralize a medium to large zucchini if you would like. 
  • Veggies: Onion, carrot, and minced garlic. 
  • Canned Tomatoes: One can of regular diced tomatoes and one can of fire-roasted tomatoes. You can also use crushed tomatoes in a pinch.
  • Beef Broth: Use chicken broth or beef broth. Bone broth or stock will also work for this recipe. 
  • Tomato Sauce: I like to use the no-salt-added tomato sauce and then salt the soup to taste. 
  • Seasoning: Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Olive Oil: I think olive oil works best with this recipe, but you can use another neutral oil if preferred. 
  • Garnish: Garnish with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese, if desired. 

Recipe Step by Step

numbered step by step photos showing how to make italian meatball soup
  1. โ€‹โ€‹In a large pot or Dutch Oven, saute the onions and garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add in the carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  2. To the vegetables, add the seasoning along with the pre-cooked Honeysuckle White Italian Meatballs. Cook for 4-5 minutes. While this is cooking, use a spiralizer and spiralize 2 medium zucchini into zucchini noodles. Add the canned tomatoes and beef broth. 
  3. Simmer covered 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, add in the zucchini noodles and cook another 5-10 minutes. 
  4. Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese or the dairy-free cheese of your choice.
a closeup of italian meatball soup with a rich tomato broth

Pro Tips

  • Cooking Zoodles: Adjust the cooking time to desired firmness of the zucchini noodles. If al dente is preferred, cook the zucchini noodles for less time.
  • Gluten-Free: This recipe is gluten-free, however, if you are using frozen, pre-cooked meatballs, be sure to check the label for ingredients. 
  • Spice Level: The three types of tomatoes mixed with the beef broth make a delicious, tangy tomato broth that is mild in spice. If you want a spicier soup, add crushed red pepper flakes to taste. 
  • Meal Prep: This is an easy meal prep recipe. Store in individual containers and grab and go for a healthy, filling lunch. 

Storage Tips

  • Store leftover Italian meatball soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat over the stovetop or microwave. 
  • I do not recommend freezing this soup. The zoodles do not freeze well once cooked. When defrosted, they become soggy.

Serving Tips

Serve as an appetizer to a larger meal or by itself. You can also serve it with crusty bread for dipping or a side salad for even more veggies.

a dutch oven filled with broth, meatballs, and zucchini noodles

Recipe Variations

  • Extra Veggies: Add spinach at the very end for even more healthy veggies.
  • Meatballs: Use whatever protein you like- chicken, beef, pork, or turkey meatballs will work.
  • Beans: Add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans for extra heartiness. (Keep in mind, this will not make it “low-carb” anymore.
  • Pasta Alternatives: Switch it up with sweet potato spirals, gluten-free pasta, or regular pasta. Or omit and use cooked rice if preferred.
a close up shot of a dutch oven filled with soup

ย 

Easy Italian Meatball Soup with Zucchini Noodles

By: Ashley McCrary
This easy, low-carb Italian meatball soup is made with tender meatballs, veggies, and zucchini noodles, with a tangy, flavorful tomato broth.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients  

  • 1 20 oz package pre-cooked Italian Meatballs turkey or beef*
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion- diced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 medium carrot - peeled and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 32- oz. beef or chicken broth
  • 2 medium zucchini- spiralized into zoodles
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • OPTIONAL: 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • dairy-free cheese or parmesan cheese and parsley for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a large pot or Dutch Oven, saute the onions and garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add in the carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • To the vegetables, add the seasoning along with the pre-cooked Honeysuckle White Italian Meatballs. Cook for 4-5 minutes. While this is cooking, use a spiralizer and spiralize 2 medium zucchini. Add the canned tomatoes and beef broth. Simmer covered 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, add in the zucchini noodles and cook another 5-10 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese or dairy-free cheese of choice.

Notes

Pro Tips

  • Cooking Zoodles: Adjust the cooking time to desired firmness of the zucchini noodles. If al dente is preferred, cook the zucchini noodles for less time.
  • Gluten-Free: This recipe is gluten-free, however, if you are using frozen, pre-cooked meatballs, be sure to check the label for ingredients.ย 
  • Spice Level: The three types of tomatoes mixed with the beef broth make a delicious, tangy tomato broth that is mild in spice. If you want a spicier soup, add crushed red pepper flakes to taste.ย 
  • Pasta Alternatives: If you donโ€™t prefer zucchini pasta noodles, feel free to substitute them for gluten-free noodles or regular pasta. You can even try sweet potato spirals.ย 
  • Meal Prep: This is an easy meal prep recipe. Store in individual containers and grab and go for a healthy, filling lunch.ย 

Storage Tips

Store leftover Italian meatball soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat over the stovetop or microwave.ย 
 
I do not recommend freezing this soup. The zoodles do not freeze well once cooked. When defrosted, they become soggy.

Serving Tips

Serve as an appetizer to a larger meal or by itself. You can also serve it with crusty bread for dipping or a side salad for even more veggies.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @healthylittlepeach or tag #healthylittlepeach!

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