Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup small pasta (such as orzo or ditalini)
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced carrots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the ground turkey, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Form the mixture into 20-25 small, 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the turkey meatballs and cook them, turning gently, until they are browned on all sides (they do not need to be fully cooked through yet). Remove the meatballs and set them aside.
- Step 3: Add the diced onion and carrots to the same pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour the chicken broth into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Step 5: Return the browned meatballs to the pot, add the small pasta, and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the meatballs are thoroughly cooked. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- If you plan to store leftovers for more than one day, consider cooking the small pasta separately and adding it to individual bowls; otherwise, the pasta will continue to swell and absorb too much broth overnight.
- When reheating leftovers, warm the soup gently on the stovetop, adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup extra chicken broth, as the pasta will have absorbed some liquid, making the soup overly thick.
- Finish each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a light grating of Parmesan cheese to add brightness and salty depth to the savory broth.
- To ensure your lean turkey meatballs stay juicy and flavorful, mix the meat thoroughly but gently, and avoid overcooking them during the initial browning step—they finish cooking perfectly during the final simmer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American