Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach

Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach is the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the balance of flavors and textures. The trick I discovered is using a mix of ground turkey and ground chicken for juicier meatballs. This cozy soup is perfect for chilly nights and better than takeout. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cheddar Jalapeño Burgers and Crispy Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken.

What You'll Need for Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: Fresh basil leaves
• Optional: Crusty bread

How to Make Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, ground chicken, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Remove meatballs and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same pot, add orzo and cook until al dente. Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add meatballs back to the pot and simmer for another 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Storing & Reheating Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days Make-ahead tip: Yes, prepare the soup without the spinach and add just before serving

Freezing Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach

Freeze for up to 3 months

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
• Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey for ground chicken or a mix of both.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the soup without the spinach and add just before serving to keep it vibrant and fresh.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
• Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid. If it's too thick, add more chicken broth or water.

Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

25 mins

⏳

Total

40 mins

🍽

Serves

6 servings

🥗

Diet

Low Carb

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups baby spinach

Seasonings

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Optional Toppings

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves
• Crusty bread

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, ground chicken, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Remove meatballs and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same pot, add orzo and cook until al dente. Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add meatballs back to the pot and simmer for another 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
• Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey for ground chicken or a mix of both.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the soup without the spinach and add just before serving to keep it vibrant and fresh.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
• Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid. If it's too thick, add more chicken broth or water.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes
• Make ahead: Yes, prepare the soup without the spinach and add just before serving

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sat. Fat: 3g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Hearty Turkey Meatball Soup with Orzo and Spinach and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!