This Easy Meatball Soup Recipe is made with precooked frozen meatballs for a quick and easy budget friendly meal for the whole family.
Although authentic Albondigas is made with raw meatballs, made from scratch, if you’re in a hurry, you can quickly use frozen meatballs instead.
Because this is such a great recipe, perfect for everyone in the family, especially meatball-loving kids, I’ve included instructions for Instant Pot, Stove and Crockpot as well.
At the time I wanted to share this recipe for metaball soup, ground beef was impossible to find at the store. The 2020 pandemic caused several things to become difficult to find.
There were a few bags of frozen precooked meatballs, though. I’m all for a few shortcuts when making dinner!
What is Albondigas Soup?
Albondigas soup is simply meatball soup. It’s believed that it originated as an Arab or Berber dish then imported to Spain. It was then imported into Central and South America. It’s a hearty soup made with lots of vegetables. I’ve used:
- Potatoes
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrots
- Jalapeño
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- Green Beans
- Zucchini
Authentic Mexican albondigas soup is made with uncooked meatballs that you put directly into briskly boiling broth. You might think that the meatballs will fall apart but, since the broth is so hot, it cooks the outside quickly enough and they retain their shape.
This Easy Meatball Soup is based on traditional albondigas soup, but is easier and quicker when made with frozen meatballs.
Be sure to open up your refrigerator and see what you have available. You can mix and match lots of different vegetables for meatball soup.
Italian Wedding Soup Variation
The Italian version of meatball soup is called Italian Wedding Soup. Different spices and vegetables are used, but it’s still meatball soup.
I’ll bet there are other traditional versions of meatball soup in other countries as well, each with their own variations. Even across Mexico, you will find different variations depending on the location.
Tip: Cutting the Jalapeno
If you’re going to chop the jalapeno anyway, take advantage of this little trick.
Hold the jalapeno by the stem and carefully slide the knife down the side, leaving the stem and seeds intact as best you can. This is so much easier than scooping the seeds out.
While there are times you will need to scoop out the seeds like for these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, if you are going to chop them, you might as well make life easier.
If you prefer, you can hold the jalapeno horizontally and cut the strips of the chile in the same way. It takes a little more time, but is safer for the fingers.
Can I make this soup in a Crockpot?
Because this recipe is so quick, easy and kid friendly, I’ve provided instructions for more methods than only Instant Pot.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can follow the instructions for stove top or Crockpot instead.
Step by Step Instructions
What I like most about using the Instant Pot is that it’s basically a dump and cook sort of kitchen appliance. It’s like making a one skillet meal except there’s not all the stirring, checking and adjusting.
To start this Instant Pot Albondigas Soup, I’ve sauteed the raw vegetables. I’ve sauteed them a little longer than I usually do since I wanted to give the potatoes a little head start.
It’s only a few extra minutes. After all, they’re cut up fairly small so a prolonged time isn’t necessary.
Now, you’re ready to add the frozen meatballs, canned green beans, tomatoes and zucchini. Squash cooks so quickly that I’ve added it at the same time as the meatballs so it doesn’t overcook.
Pour in the beef broth and you’re ready to pressure cook. It already looks delicious!
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, have a look at this 6-Quart Instant Pot (aff link) which we use. We’ve had it for several years and it still works great.
Try more Instant Pot recipes
Since we love the Instant Pot, we’ve started working on an entire library of recipes. See our Instant Pot recipes at 24Bite. My favorites are:
Recipe
Easy Meatball Soup Recipe Frozen Meatballs +Video
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 pound Potatoes peeled, chopped
- 1 medium Onion chopped
- 2 Celery Stalks chopped
- 2 Carrots chopped
- 1 Jalapeño chopped
- 7 Garlic Cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Dark Chili Powder
- 1 pound Frozen Precooked Meatballs
- 14.5 ounces Diced Tomatoes canned
- 14.5 ounces Green Beans canned
- 1 Zucchini chopped
- 32 ounces Beef Broth or 1 teaspoon beef bouillon and 4 cups water
Instructions
- Chop and mince all vegetables as directed.
- Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot to begin cooking in saute mode. Add olive oil. Add potatoes, onion, celery, carrots, jalapeño and garlic. Add salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Stir frequently until vegetables have begun to soften, about 8-9 minutes.
- Press the Cancel button on the Instant Pot to reset.
- Add all remaining ingredients. Stir. Check the Instant Pot lid to ensure the seal is in place and nothing is blocking the vent. Place lid on top and set lever to Sealing. Press the Manual button on the Instant Pot and set to high for 5 minutes, then natural release. The entire cook time will be about 25 minutes.
- Makes 8 servings.
Notes
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result. 2019-2026 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved. 24Bite®
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This soup is so delicious! I love that it uses frozen meatballs and that you can make it in the instant pot! Makes it an easy choice!
So colourful and appealing. I’m a wuss though so not too much chilli for me.
Love the flavours in this – and it is so colourful and appetising! The frozen meatballs idea is a time saver!
I love all of the recipes that the Instant Pot can make. I am definitely going to try this out, thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
This soup looks so hearty and satisfying. Love all the tips you give as well.