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
Melony says
Just made this tonight, and it was wonderful! I are a bowl, and had a hard time not going back for a second bowl. It’s so full of flavor! Thanks for the recipe, this is going into my regular rotation of winter soups to make.
Cassidy says
Thank Melony!!! You have more will power than me, I usually can't help myself and end up getting 2 bowls ?
Debbie says
Where is all the sugar coming from? The carrots? I am starting Keto, and I have been told NO sugar. This recipe looks really good but I can't eat unless I know where the sugar is coming from and maybe I could change the recipe to fit Keto. Thanks.
Cassidy says
Hi debbie, the majority of the carbs are coming from the carrots, onions, zucchini, and tomatoes. Pretty much everything has carbs except fat, eggs, and some meats - even spices have carbs! I have notes right under the recipe though that will reduce the net carbs to 7 per serving - and the servings are quite large!!! Sorry I can't get it down to 0, but I hope this at least helps!
-Cassidy
Barbara Roe says
Loved the soup. Next time I will add one more zucchini, a small handful of cabbage and /or spinach. My dog loved the extra broth from my bowl.
Cassidy says
I'm glad you and your dog liked it! Adding cabbage or spinach is a good idea, I'll have to try that next time - thanks!
-Cassidy
Mel says
Thank You for the recipe. It came out delicious. Tho the meatballs came out dry. I did make them about 2" and cooked them for 45 min. Should i have cooked them for 35min?
Cassidy says
Hi Mel! I'm sorry the meatballs turned out dry. And yes, I think reducing the cooking time a little bit next time should help!
-Cassidy
Laree says
Just made your Meatball soup and loved it
Tonya says
I tried the frozen meatball approach and it was ok but I really do think making your own would be even more flavorful. I also added In a small can of diced tomatoes with jalapeños for some kick
Rebecca says
Would you be able to drop the meatballs in the soup when it reaches a boil and cook them that way instead of the oven?
Cassidy says
I've actually thought the same thing! Next time I make it I will try it then come back and let you know how it turned out 🙂
-Cassidy
Kortney says
Meatball soup has become one of my favourite go to meals. I love that you add vinegar to it - I have started to do this lately to add an extra depth of flavour.
Shannon says
Loved this recipe, so much flavor! It was a huge hit with my family!
Cassidy says
Thank you so much, I'm happy you liked it! It's one of our favorites ?
-Cassidy
Debi says
How many carbs in just the meatballs the size you made. I would like to have them with other dishes.
Cassidy says
Hi Debi! If you make 40 meatballs each meatball would have 50 calories, 4g protein, 3g fat, and no carbs or fiber 🙂 Hope this helps!!!
-Cassidy
Rachel says
This recipe is delicious. An amazing balance of flavor. I felt like I was eating in a restaurant.
Cassidy says
Thanks so much Rachel!!! That's the best compliment I could get, I'm so happy you liked it!!!!
-Cassidy
Victoria says
I used ground turkey instead of ground beef and it was still yummy. I already made more meatballs ready to freeze so I can quickly make it again. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Cassidy says
YAY Victoria I'm happy you liked it!!! Yeah, I like to make the meatballs ahead of time too 🙂
-Cassidy
Maureen says
This recipe is outstanding. Thank you for sharing.
Cassidy says
Thanks so much Maureen!!! I'm so happy you like it!!!
-Cassidy
Diana says
My granddaughter won’t eat veggies so I used this recipe to trick and...WIN for MiMi!! I used pork and added carrots to the meatballs and then added cabbage to the soup part for my daughter and me! So Yum!!
Thanks so much!
Cassidy says
Oh YAY Diana!!! ...I love sneaky veggies 🙂
-Cassidy
Batbara says
This sounds yummy. What is the measurement for a serving?
Cassidy says
Hi batbara! A serving is around 2 1/2 cups, about a large bowl 🙂
marie b. says
This looks amazing! I make quite a lot of soup during the fall & winter months. Ok, here's a silly question, to save time, could you thaw a package of frozen meatballs and use them??
Cassidy says
Hi Marie B, That's not a silly question at all! I don't see why you couldn't use frozen meatballs, but without trying it I can't say for sure. I just usually prefer to make my own so I can control the ingredients 🙂
April C. says
This is amazing! Even my picky hubby was asking when I'm making it again after it was gone (in one day I might add 😉 )
Cassidy says
YAY April C. - I'm so happy you liked it!!! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
-Cassidy
Carol says
I really liked this soup. I added just a little more seasoning to the broth, including red pepper flakes, because I like spice. The balsamic vinegar added just a tiny touch of sweetness. I'll definitely be making it again, and passed the recipe on to my daughter to try. My grandson is allergic to egg and dairy, so this is perfect!
Cassidy says
Thanks so much Carol, I'm happy you liked it!!! We don't like much spice so none of my recipes are very spicy - I'm glad you added some red pepper flakes to make it turn out more spicy like you like it!
-Cassidy
Tonya says
I added a small can of diced tomatoes w/ jalapeño for a kick ??
Rachel says
I love how it has all those veggies, and that it freezes well it is worth a try !
Cassidy says
Yeah, I feel great feeding this to my family because it's so packed full of veggies and I always have leftovers for the week or to freeze for later 🙂
Nicole says
I made this tonight for dinner and it’s AMAZING! I made the meatballs smaller but everything else the same. So good. Thank you
Cassidy says
Oh YAY I'm so happy!!!! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂
-Cassidy
Stacie T says
Looks yummy. I tend to overcook meat, so I was wondering how large the meatballs are. I can't tell from the photo of the soup. Are they 1-2" across or minis that are 1/2-1"? It will make a big difference in cook time.
Thanks so much!
Cassidy says
Hi Stacie, I made them fairly big - around 2". But you could make them a bit smaller and reduce the cooking time if needed 🙂
Sandra says
What is the breakdown of carbs, protein, fats and calories?
Cassidy says
Hi Sandra, I don't have the nutritional breakdown at this time but it's a feature I'm looking into adding. Sorry!!!
Tammy says
You can add the recipe to “my fitness pal” app and it will break it all down ❤️
Cassidy says
Hi Sandra, I just wanted to pop back in and let you know that I've added a complete nutritional breakdown under the recipe, hope this helps!!!
-Cassidy
Veronica says
This looks delicious. Are all the herbs dried or just the basil? How many servings does it yield?
Cassidy says
Hi veronica! es, I used all dried herbs for this and it makes around 8 servings. I hope this helps!!!
-Cassidy
Veronica says
Thank you for replying so quickly. I can’t wait to make this. I’ll let you know what my family thinks ?
Tessa says
This look delicious Cassidy!! Looking forward to trying it!
patricia says
approximately how many meatballs do you get from this recipe?
Cassidy says
Hi Patricia, I thought I had answered your question when you very first posted it but now I don't see it, I'm SO sorry!!! This makes between 35 -40 meatballs depending on how large you make them 🙂
-Cassidy