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A close-up shot displays a white bowl filled with golden-brown Air Fryer Meatballs, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Air Fryer Meatball Soup

Enjoy hearty homemade meatballs, perfectly cooked in the air fryer, then simmered in a rich tomato and vegetable broth with pasta and spinach for a comforting and satisfying soup.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 475
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Air Fryer Meatballs
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef and pork mix 80/20 lean
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Cooking spray
For the Soup
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 1 carrot peeled and diced
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken or beef broth
  • 1/2 cup small pasta e.g., ditalini, orzo
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven

Method
 

Prepare the Meatballs
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and pork mix, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, milk, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
  3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch size meatballs. You should get about 24-30 meatballs.
Air Fry the Meatballs
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  3. Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch. You will likely need to cook them in 2-3 batches.
  4. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160°F / 71°C).
  5. Remove cooked meatballs and set aside. Repeat with any remaining batches.
Prepare the Soup
  1. While meatballs are cooking, heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes and chicken or beef broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Add the small pasta to the simmering soup. Cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, or until al dente.
  6. Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
  7. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Gently add the cooked air fryer meatballs to the soup.
  2. Ladle the Air Fryer Meatball Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can slightly brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding to the air fryer. Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pasta will absorb more liquid over time, so you may want to add a splash more broth when reheating. To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free pasta.