| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 650 | 38g | 13g | 42g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 4g | 35g | 1.6g |
Why I Love Romanian Meatball Soup
Meet the Romanian Meatball Soup: one of my favourite recipes due to its unique combination of hearty ingredients and simplistic methodology. The inspiration for this delightful dish certainly has a touch of my culinary hero Jamie Oliver in it, but it is affectionately rendered with unmistakable nods to traditional Romanian cuisine.
An Hearty Dance of Flavors
Just like the eclectic food culture from which it hails, the Romanian Meatball Soup possesses a symphony of tastes that truly set it apart. Beef and pork form the substance of the meatballs, accented with delicate hints of garlic, breadcrumbs, and the earthy aroma of fresh parsley. The rest of the soup is a wonderful melange of vegetable goodness – onions, carrots and celery make up a mirepoix that, when simmered, unleashes a savory sweetness into the broth. For an extra zesty kick, I love adding a good dollop of sour cream just before serving — just as they do in Romania.
Embracing Simplicity
Why I am head over heels for this recipe isn’t merely owing to the flavours – although they are, indeed, delicious. No, it’s also in the simplicity of its creation. Ground pork and beef, melded with spices and breadcrumbs, are transformed into tiny spheres just waiting to plump up in the rich broth. Vegetables are chopped, not fancily, but into rustic pieces that remind me of home cooking in Colorado. The process of stirring the soup, watching it bubble gently as the flavours come together… it’s a slow, comforting dance that soothes my soul after a long day. And nothing — absolutely nothing — beats the feeling of warm soup hitting the stomach, the taste lingering long after the bowl is empty.
Oh and before I forget, here’s the recipe image for you to drool on: 
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In conclusion, on a frosty evening when the mountain air is filled with the heady aroma of pines, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of Romanian Meatball Soup to remind oneself of the simpler joys of life. Try this recipe out for yourself, and perhaps, just like me and Jamie Oliver, you’ll find a new favourite go-to comfort food.
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 4 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 10 cups water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup rice
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 fresh parsley sprigs, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- Sour cream for serving (optional)
Method
Step One
In a large bowl, combine the ground pork and ground beef. Add in the rice, eggs, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a dash of salt and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1-inch in diameter.
Step Two
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onions turn translucent.
Step Three
Add the water and tomato paste to the pot with the vegetables. Stir until the tomato paste is well incorporated. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Step Four
Reduce the heat to low, then gently add the meatballs to the pot. Let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
Step Five
While the soup is simmering, chop the fresh dill. Once the meatballs are cooked, add the freshly chopped dill and white vinegar to the pot. Stir to combine, then let the soup continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
Step Six
Give the soup a taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed. The Meatball Soup is now ready to serve. Ladle into bowls, and if desired, each serving can be topped with a dollop of sour cream.
Enjoy your homemade Meatball Soup!
