This Keto Meatball Soup is easy to prepare, hearty, and loaded with fresh veggies and flavor. Best of all, the meatballs can be made ahead of time and it freezes nicely.
Even if you don't think you're a fan of soup, I promise you, this Keto Meatball Soup will change your mind!
It's easy to prepare, hearty, and loaded with fresh veggies and flavor. And if you're short on time, the keto meatballs can be made ahead of time or even frozen.
The meatballs
For the meatballs, I've added some sneaky veggies. I add an onion, 2 handfuls of spinach, and 3 cloves of garlic to a food processor and process until everything is in very small pieces.
Then I add the spinach/onion mixture to a large bowl along with 2 lbs. beef, sea salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, and parsley and mix everything together.
After that, I roll the mixture into meatballs and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes.
And remember, you don't have to use the meatballs just for this soup recipe! They're also great on their own, as a snack, in lunchboxes, or incorporated into lots of different recipes!
The soup
While the meatballs are cooking, make the soup.
For the soup, saute carrots, onion, celery, and garlic in a heavy-bottomed pot. Then add basil, oregano, thyme, tomato paste, a bay leaf, chopped zucchini, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
Allow to simmer about 20 minutes to infuse all that yummy flavor.
After it's done simmering, add some balsamic vinegar for a nice depth of flavor, salt, pepper, and the meatballs. Then it's ready to eat!!!
Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
Top tips for perfect keto meatball soup
- If you would like to reduce the carb count, omit the carrot, zucchini, and reduce the onion to ½. This will make each serving have 7 net carbs.
- Don't skip the balsamic vinegar! The balsamic vinegar is my secret ingredient. It adds a depth of flavor and tart sweetness you don't want to miss!
- You can make this soup ahead of time and freeze in individual containers to eat later.
- The meatballs can be pre-made and stored covered in the fridge for 5 to 7 days or frozen up to 3 months.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Looking for more Whole30 & Keto Dinner Recipes? Check out my Chicken Pot Pie Soup, Lasagna Soup, and Healthful Pursuit's Chicken Enchilada Zucchini Boats
If you’ve tried this Keto Meatball Soup or any other recipe on the blog please let me know in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Keto Meatball Soup {Paleo & Whole30}
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 2 Lb. Ground Beef
- 2 Handfuls Fresh Spinach
- 1 Small Onion
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- ¾ tsp. Sea Salt
- ¼ tsp. Ground Pepper
- 2 tsp. Italian Seasonings
- 2 Tbsp. Parsley
- 2 tablespoon Coconut Cream or Heavy Cream
Soup:
- 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil - or oil of choice
- 1 Small Onion - diced
- 2 Cloves Garlic - minced
- 1 Medium Carrot - Peeled and Diced
- 1 Stalk of Celery - Chopped
- 2 tsp. Dried Basil
- 1 tsp. Oregano
- ¾ tsp. Thyme
- 1 32 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes
- 3 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 32- oz. Low Sodium Beef or Chicken Broth
- 1 Medium Zucchini - Chopped into Halves or Quarters
- 1 tsp. Balsamic Vinegar
- Salt - to taste (at least ½ tsp.)
- Pepper - to taste (at least ¼ tsp.)
Instructions
For the meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x11 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the spinach, garlic, and onion. Then process until everything is in very small pieces. Add the spinach/onion mixture to a large mixing bowl along with the ground beef, sea salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, parsley, and coconut cream or heavy cream. Mix well.
- Roll into meatballs and place into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until cooked through.
For the soup:
- Add the oil to a large, heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven and heat over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Saute until veggies are slightly soft, around 4 minutes.
- Add the basil, oregano, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, chicken or beef broth, and zucchini.
- Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20-25 minutes.
- Add salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar. Taste soup, if it tastes flat, it needs more salt.
- Add the meatballs to the soup and serve!
Add Your Own Notes
Video
Notes
- Watch the full-length YouTube video here: YouTube Meatball Soup Video!
- Each serving is about 2 ladles of soup - approximately 1 heaping cup.
- If you would like to reduce the carb count, omit the carrot, zucchini, and reduce the onion to ½. This will make each serving have 7 net carbs.
- Don't skip the balsamic vinegar! The balsamic vinegar is my secret ingredient. It adds a depth of flavor and tart sweetness you don't want to miss!
- The soup can be made ahead of time and frozen in individual containers to eat later.
- The meatballs can be pre-made and stored covered in the fridge for 5 to 7 days or frozen up to 3 months.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- The coconut cream or heavy cream is an added ingredient to ensure the meatballs turn out juicy!
- For coconut cream, place full-fat canned coconut milk in the fridge for 24 hours. Then, scoop out the coagulated cream. I recommend Sprouts, Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest brands. Other brands may not separate as well or leave an aftertaste.
Nutrition
NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber - Allulose - Xylitol
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols, xylitol, and allulose are included in the total carbs and fiber.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my
Karyn says
I’m doing a keto diet and allergic to almonds & coconut. Is there something else I can use in place of the heavy cream or coconut cream?
Thanks!
Cassidy says
Hi Karyn!
If you aren't allergic to dairy and only almonds and coconut, you should be able to use heavy cream. Otherwise, I'm just not sure - sorry!
XO,
Cassidy
J says
Great recipe, I adjust the things I use as additives, depending on what I have. I like to premake this as a freezer meal, but I'm not interested in pre blanching zucchini. Any suggestions for good substitutes? Would turnips be a good options?
Thanks.
Cassidy says
Oh no, I just don't know of a good substitute for the zucchini? Turnips may work but I've never tested them, sorry!!!
XO,
Cassidy
Debra Pierce says
Awesome!!!... but how much is a serving?.. it says it serves 8.
Cassidy Stauffer says
Hi Debra, I'm so happy you like it!!
Each serving is about 2 ladles of soup - approximately 1 heaping cup. I hope this helps!!
-Cassidy
Deb Pierce says
Thank you!!... yes it does!!!!🤗🤗
Estee says
The meatballs were the best I’ve ever tasted. I’m going to use the meatball recipe for spaghetti and meatballs! The soup was delicious!
Cassidy Stauffer says
Oh YAY Estee, thank you!!! I'm so happy you liked them 😍
XO,
Cassidy
Mary Ellen says
How many meatballs does this recipe make?
Cassidy Stauffer says
Hi Mary Ellen!
I roll my meatballs on the larger side and usually end up with around 35. I hope this helps!!
XO,
Cassidy
Christine says
This soup is excellent! The balsamic vinegar is your secret ingredient. It makes the soup extra tasty.
Cassidy Stauffer says
Thank you!!! Yes, I agree, I think the balsamic vinegar is the secret ingredient that makes this soup taste so good 😍
XO,
Cassidy
Magan Brown says
Could you use frozen meatballs?
Cassidy Stauffer says
Yes, you can! Just cook them according to the instructions on the package then add them to the soup 👍
XO,
Cassidy
Maryse Roy says
This soup is a staple now at my house, it's excellent, so much flavor!! THANK YOU!!
I prefer crushed tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes, (it's the only change I made.)
Penny says
My Husband and I really enjoyed the soup. It has such a nice flavor. Love all the meatballs. I will make it again. Wonderful recipe.
Cassidy Stauffer says
Thank you Penny, I'm so excited you and your husband liked it 🙂
Randi says
Husband and I both think it would be better with just ground beef rather than meatballs. They came out dry. Ended up breaking them up on second day and reheating and that was excellent. The balsamic is key!
Mary says
Great soup. Made the meatballs with beef and pork. They were very tender and were so good in the soup.
Cassidy Stauffer says
Thanks Mary, I'm so happy you liked it!!!
-Cassidy
Marie Webb says
Simple, delicious, and made me feel super cheffy!! Meal prep done!