This low calorie turkey meatball soup is cozy, filling and full of tender little meatballs, tiny shell pasta and plenty of vegetables. Each big bowl has about 35 grams of protein and around 400 calories.

Juicy turkey meatballs simmer right in a savory chicken broth with carrots, potatoes, peas and small conchiglie shells. The shells catch the broth and little bits of vegetables in every spoonful, which makes it feel like comfort food even though it’s light.

It’s the soup I make on chilly weeknights, and it reheats beautifully for lunch. The one trick: make the meatballs small and let them cook gently in the broth. No browning, no extra pan.

If you love this, you’ll also want to try our 30 Easy Chicken Soup Recipes.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• 35g of protein per bowl: from lean turkey, egg and parmesan.
• About 400 calories: a big, filling bowl that still fits a lighter week.
• One pot: the meatballs, pasta and vegetables all cook in the broth.
• Kid friendly: mini meatballs and little shells are fun to eat.
• Great for meal prep: it keeps 4 days and freezes well (without the pasta).
• Budget friendly: ground turkey, pasta and basic vegetables.

Ingredients for Turkey Meatball Soup

Here’s what you need and why each ingredient matters.

Lean Ground Turkey

Use 93% lean ground turkey. It has enough fat to stay juicy but keeps the soup light. Ground chicken works the same way.

Meatball Mix-Ins

An egg holds the meatballs together, and a few tablespoons of panko or breadcrumbs keep them soft. Grated parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning and parsley give them lots of flavor.

Conchiglie (Small Shell Pasta)

Small shells, also called conchiglie or conchigliette, are perfect for soup because they scoop up broth and peas. Use small or mini shells, not the jumbo ones for stuffing. Ditalini or small elbows work too.

Vegetables

Carrots, celery and onion make the classic soup base. Diced potatoes make it hearty and filling, and frozen peas add sweetness and a pop of green at the end.

Chicken Broth

Low-sodium chicken broth lets you control the salt, since parmesan adds salt too. Homemade broth is great if you have it.

Seasonings

Garlic, Italian seasoning, a bay leaf, salt and pepper. A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens the whole pot.

How to Make Turkey Meatball Soup

You’ll need a large soup pot or Dutch oven (at least 6 quarts) and a mixing bowl.

Step 1: Mix the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine 1.75 lb ground turkey, 1 egg, 1/4 cup panko, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Don’t overmix, it makes the meatballs dense and tough.

Step 2: Roll the Meatballs

Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, about 36 to 40 meatballs. Wet your hands with a little water so the mixture doesn’t stick.

Set them on a plate and chill them while you start the soup. Chilling helps them hold their shape in the broth.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetable Base

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 3 diced carrots and 2 diced celery stalks with a pinch of salt.

Cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is soft. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds.

Step 4: Add the Broth and Potatoes

Pour in 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth. Add 2 medium potatoes (about 3/4 lb), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes, plus 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and a bay leaf.

Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat so it’s at a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Cook the Meatballs

Drop the meatballs into the simmering broth one at a time. Don’t stir for the first 5 minutes, give them time to firm up so they don’t break apart.

Simmer for 10 minutes. The meatballs will float when they’re almost done.

Step 6: Add the Shells

Stir in 1 cup (about 4 oz) small shell pasta. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes, stirring gently once or twice, until the pasta is tender and the potatoes are soft. The meatballs should reach 165°F.

Step 7: Add the Peas and Finish

Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and cook 2 minutes until bright green. Remove the bay leaf.

Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Squeeze in a little lemon juice and top each bowl with parsley and a sprinkle of parmesan.

Tips for the Best Turkey Meatball Soup

Keep the simmer gentle.
A hard boil can break the meatballs apart. Small bubbles are what you want.

Make the meatballs small.
1-inch meatballs cook through quickly and fit on a soup spoon.

Cut the potatoes small.
1/2-inch cubes cook in the same time as the pasta.

Cook pasta separately for leftovers.
Pasta keeps soaking up broth. If you plan to have leftovers, cook the shells separately and add them to each bowl.

Add the peas last.
They only need 2 minutes and stay sweet and green.

How to Serve Turkey Meatball Soup

Serve it hot in big bowls with extra parmesan and black pepper. It’s a complete meal, but these go nicely on the side:

• Crusty bread or garlic toast
• A simple green salad with lemon dressing
• Grilled cheese strips for kids
• Crackers
• A sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat

How to Store & Customize Turkey Meatball Soup

• Fridge: keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The pasta will soften and soak up broth, so add a splash of broth when reheating.
• Reheat: warm on the stove over medium heat until simmering, or microwave individual bowls 2 minutes.
• Freeze: freeze the soup without the pasta for up to 3 months. Cook fresh shells when you reheat.
• Lower carb: skip the pasta and use extra carrots and zucchini.
• Use chicken: ground chicken works in place of turkey with no other changes.
• Swap the pasta: ditalini, orzo or small elbows all work.
• Add greens: stir in chopped kale or green beans with the potatoes.

Turkey Meatball Soup FAQ

Do I need to brown the meatballs first?

No. They cook gently in the broth and stay tender. Browning adds flavor but is optional.

Why did my meatballs fall apart?

The soup was boiling too hard or they were stirred too early. Keep a gentle simmer and wait 5 minutes before stirring.

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Yes. Use 1.75 lb frozen turkey meatballs and simmer 15 minutes before adding the pasta.

What is conchiglie pasta?

Conchiglie are shell-shaped pasta. The small ones are great in soup because they hold broth in every shell.

How many calories are in a bowl?

About 400 calories and 35 grams of protein per serving, with 6 servings per pot.

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