Description
This hearty, homey Mexican Meatball Soup is everything you want in a comfort dish—tender meatballs made with beef and rice, a savory tomato broth, and wholesome vegetables. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s easy to make, deeply satisfying, and perfect for leftovers. A touch of lime and fresh cilantro at the end brings it all together, creating a bowl full of warmth, flavor, and tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
1 . For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ⅓ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
2 . For the soup:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, rice, egg, garlic, cilantro, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper until just combined. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, add garlic, then stir in tomato paste.
- Add crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir in cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Add carrots, zucchini, and potatoes. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Carefully drop in meatballs. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until meatballs and vegetables are cooked through.
- Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Chill the meatball mixture before rolling for easier handling.
- Use a mix of vegetables based on what’s in season or available.
- For extra richness, use bone broth instead of regular stock.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 355
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg