Italian Meatball Sub Soup

• •1 tablespoon Olive oil
• •1 medium, diced Yellow onion
• •1 medium, diced Green bell pepper
• •3 cloves, minced Garlic
• •1 teaspoon (optional) Red pepper flakes
• •1 (28 ounce) can Crushed tomatoes
• •1 (14.5 ounce) can, undrained Diced tomatoes
• •4 cups Beef broth
• •1 (16-ounce) bag (approx. 18-20 meatballs) Frozen cooked Italian meatballs
• •2 teaspoons Dried Italian seasoning
• •1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• •1 teaspoon Dried basil
• •to taste Salt
• •to taste Black pepper
• •for garnish grated Parmesan cheese
• •for garnish chopped Fresh basil leaves
• •for serving Crusty bread or croutons

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened.

2. 2

   Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pot. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

3. 3

   Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), beef broth, dried Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and dried basil. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring well to combine all ingredients.

4. 4

   Carefully add the frozen meatballs to the simmering soup. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through and the flavors have melded. Stir occasionally to prevent any ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

5. 5

   Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust seasonings to your preference.

6. 6

   Ladle the hot Italian Meatball Sub Soup into individual bowls. Garnish generously with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately with a side of crusty bread or toasted croutons for dipping, just like a sub!

Chef's Tips

• 💡To enhance the "sub" experience, lightly toast slices of baguette brushed with garlic butter and serve alongside the soup for dipping.
• 💡For a thicker soup, you can gently mash some of the tomatoes against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon, or simmer the soup uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes.
• 💡Feel free to customize with other vegetables like sliced mushrooms or baby spinach, adding them during the last 5 minutes of cooking.