Meatballs and Noodle Soup

This comforting and flavorful Meatballs and Noodle Soup (known as Albondigas) is a classic Mexican dish featuring tender meatballs in a savory broth with noodles, vegetables, and a hint of fresh herbs. Perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings!

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)

½ cup cooked rice

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ small onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried oregano

For the Soup:

6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth for a lighter flavor)

2 medium carrots, diced

2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

1 zucchini, diced

1 ½ cups elbow macaroni or any small pasta

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp salt (or to taste)

½ tsp black pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

 Prepare the Meatballs:

In a large bowl, combine ground beef (and pork if using), cooked rice, egg, garlic, onion, cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix until well combined.

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and set aside on a tray.

 Make the Soup:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, potatoes, and zucchini. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until they start to soften.

Add the beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

 Cook the Meatballs:

Gently add the meatballs to the simmering broth. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and float to the top.

 Add the Pasta:

Stir in the pasta and cook for another 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender and the flavors have melded together.

 Serve:

Taste the broth and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime, if desired.

Enjoy your hearty and delicious Meatballs and Noodle Soup (Albondigas)! Perfect for a satisfying meal on a chilly day.

This comforting and flavorful Meatballs and Noodle Soup (known as Albondigas) is a classic Mexican dish featuring tender meatballs in a savory broth with noodles, vegetables, and a hint of fresh herbs. Perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings!

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)

½ cup cooked rice

1 egg

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ small onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried oregano

For the Soup:

6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth for a lighter flavor)

2 medium carrots, diced

2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

1 zucchini, diced

1 ½ cups elbow macaroni or any small pasta

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp salt (or to taste)

½ tsp black pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

 Prepare the Meatballs:

In a large bowl, combine ground beef (and pork if using), cooked rice, egg, garlic, onion, cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix until well combined.

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and set aside on a tray.

 Make the Soup:

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced carrots, potatoes, and zucchini. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until they start to soften.

Add the beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

 Cook the Meatballs:

Gently add the meatballs to the simmering broth. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and float to the top.

 Add the Pasta:

Stir in the pasta and cook for another 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender and the flavors have melded together.

 Serve:

Taste the broth and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime, if desired.

Enjoy your hearty and delicious Meatballs and Noodle Soup (Albondigas)! Perfect for a satisfying meal on a chilly day.