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.
Course gluten free, keto, Main Course, paleo, whole30
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.
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.