Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs
Deliciously creamy orzo tomato soup with protein-packed mini turkey meatballs simmered in a flavorful coconut milk tomato broth. This satisfying, healthy turkey meatball tomato orzo soup packs in protein & veggies from spinach and carrots and is delicious with a touch of basil pesto!
Servings 6 servings
Calories 370cal
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional (but recommended): 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- Freshly ground salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking
- For the soup:
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can light coconut milk
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 6 ounces uncooked orzo (or about 1 cup uncooked orzo)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- For mix-ins:
- 2-3 cups organic spinach
- For serving:
- Fresh shredded parmesan cheese
- Extra basil pesto
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use your hands to combine the turkey, breadcrumbs, italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, pesto, salt and pepper. Mix together until well combined and roll into approximately 40-45 1/2 inch mini sized meatballs.
- Place a large skillet over medium high heat and add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides. This will take about 5-6 minutes per batch. You don't need to cook them all the way through, as they will finish cooking in the soup. Once meatballs have browned nicely, transfer them to a large plate and set aside.
- In a large pot, add in ½ tablespoon olive oil and place over medium heat. Add in garlic, onion and carrot and saute until onion and carrots slightly soften, about 3-5 minutes. Next add in crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, orzo, salt and pepper and stir well. Add in browned meatballs back into the soup. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally stir in spinach and cook for another minute or until spinach wilts. Taste soup and adjust seasonings as necessary, adding more salt and pepper if you’d like.
- Serve soup immediately with extra basil pesto swirled in, parmesan, crackers and/or garlic bread. Serves 6.
Notes
See the full post for tips, tricks and ways to customize this tomato orzo soup, including how to make it in your slow cooker!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving (based on 6) | Calories: 370cal | Carbohydrates: 38.7g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 13.1g | Saturated Fat: 5.5g | Fiber: 5.5g | Sugar: 8.6g