I adore soups but the one thing that prevents me from eating them more often for dinner is that I feel that they often lack body. This soup bears no such accusations, for when it is done, it is more like a tomato stew. With the onset of the brutal chill this month, I have been pushed into full soup making mode, almost kicking and screaming (where did the hot weather go? There was no warning or gentle easing). There are advantages to cold weather though: coats, boots and comfort food. And soup is undoubtedly comfort food, especially when it’s paired with crispy meatball croutons.
I admit I usually find croutons a bit of a disappointment unless they’re homemade. The ones that come in packets aren’t nearly as good as they look and one afternoon I was contemplating making my own croutons for a tomato soup when I saw that my bread really wasn’t anywhere near stale enough which meant that I needed to dry it out. So I considered a tastier version of the crouton which was more of a cross between a meatball and a crouton. Certainly the ratio of bread to meat was fairly similar which I knew would make it beautifully crispy and light. I always prefer to up the amount of fresh breadcrumbs if I am seeking comfort.
The soup was thicker (and therefore more satisfying) than I anticipated. Once I added the Orzo it sucked up a lot of the liquid although I didn’t think this was such a bad thing as it made the soup more full bodied. And in turn it meant that this was a brilliant standalone dish for a week day dinner.
So tell me Dear Reader, are you a Winter or Summer person? What do you like about that particular season?
Full-Bodied Tomato Soup with Crispy Meatball Croutons
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
For Soup:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
- 2x 400g tins of tomatoes or 800grams of fresh tomatoes blanched, skins removed and chopped
- 140g tin tomato paste
- 1 litre beef or vegetable stock
- 100g orzo (rice shaped pasta)
For meatballs
- 150grams good quality Italian sausages, skins removed
- 1 egg
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 150grams fresh breadcrumbs
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons of oil for frying
For Soup
1. In a large saucepan, heat oil and fry onions on medium heat until clear and soft. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and beef stock and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, shape meatballs into small crouton sized balls by combining all of the ingredients in a bowl and mixing thoroughly with clean hands and then rolling them out in your palm (wetting your hands lightly will mean that they don’t stick to your hands as much). Set aside on a tray – you can do these ahead of time and refrigerate if you wish.
3. When the soup has about 10 minutes to go, add another cup of boiling water and bring it to the boil. Add the orzo and cook it for 5 minutes. The soup will start to thicken with the orzo in it.
4. While the soup is cooking, in a large frypan heat oil and fry the meatballs in two lots until crispy.
5. Ladle soup into cups or bowls and dot with Crispy Meatball Croutons.
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36 Comments | Add your own
Yes, the cold did come quite unexpected. But even better for us to enjoy some real hearty winter fare. I like the combination of meat and breadcrumbs that tops this tomato soup. And bring on the orzo I say!
Tomato Soup is my favorite comfort food. The addition of the meatballs is great, maybe I can get my partner to eat some!
Wow that soup looks like the ultimate comfort food and a great winter warmer. I love winter because I love snuggling up with my husband and enjoying yummy comfort food, whereas in summer I dont feel like cooking or eating as much (not always a bad thing- especially after a long winter of eating)!!
Great Idea! You’ve combined two regular foods to create a fantastic combination dish – I like the rice idea in the soup too.
Summer!!! I love the dry hot air!! I love meat balls!! Yum!
ohmy meatball croutons sound sooo delicious! and tomato soup in winter is perfect.
Crispy meatball croutons? YUM! What a great idea, they look like they’d go so well with that rich, thick soup. Haha I think I must be a Spring/Autumn person, because when it’s Winter I complain about the cold and miss Summer and when it’s Summer I long for Winter!
I <3 meatballs…..
and now I wish I hadn’t seen them this early in the morning.
Will be trying this recipe
I’m usually a summer person, but this winter, I’m rather enjoying it. The cold weather, the comfort food….but I’m always a sucker for the beach!
x
Beautiful photos! I haven’t made tomato soup before, never really liked it, but this one looks really tasty so I might have to try it. I will substite the meat balls for red kidney bean balls though to satisfy the vegetarian in the house
I am a winter person, I love nothing more than getting rugged up and going for hikes in the mountains when it’s sunny, crisp and cool. Hiking in the summer is sticky and there are far too many bugs for my liking!
Meatball Croutons sound so interesting.
I am definitely winter person, I prefer cold weather that we don’t sweat a lot and can wear nice coat..haha… Oh, and of course, cold weather with a cup of hot coffee or comfort food.. Heaven !
I can appreciate the cold…for a little while. I like soup and I love tea, and as far as fashion goes I’m definitely an autumn/winter, but I (desperately) require more than just a few hours of sunshine. Plus I have poor circulation so I’m often cold even when it’s warm out.
I’m very glad that it’s finally sort of warmed up where I am.
I’m a summer person for sure. I hate wearing all these thick clothes and feeling like the michelin man, but still being cold. Your soup looks beautifully warming though, and I love the spices in Italian sausages.
Looks delicious and great for this terrible cold weather.
My favourites are the summer days that aren’t too hot.
I think I have the ingredients for this soup already except for the orso which Ill buy this afternoon. Thanku! =)
I must say the meatball crouton had me curious! Sounds alot like my mums normal meat balls. But this soup does sound delicious and quite filling to. I agree with you issue of un-satisfying (filling) soups.
I’m going to be different and say I love the autumn. Dayz are mild, you might get an odd day where the weather is really nice and go for a picnic. not to mention all the beautiful colours, nothing beats the orange/red huges
A wonderful soup! It looks so tasty and delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
i love tomato included soups. this one sound terrific. using vegetable stock will make this dish more healthier
nice shots as usual
cheers!!
I am with you on feeling that soyups often lack body, so the meatballs in this would go a long way to remedying that – looks delicious. I am a summer person, but I do love winter roasts and puddings, and being able to wear a beautiful winter coat
This soup is exactly what we need in this cold weather. I love the idea of the meat balls on top!
Looks delicious, lady! Thicker soups with more substance are definitely the way to go if it’s a main, otherwise a clear consomme like matzo dumpling soup makes a delicious entree. I love summer…but winter food is killer.
Tomatoes, sausage, and orzo – I love the combo!
Tomato soup looks delicious, i love the way you have presented!! is that a red table mat?
The soup looks lovely – its summer here and whilst I love the longer days and the way your body relaxes when its warmed by the sun I think at heart I’m winter person – open fires, snuggly jumpers, boots and of course comfort food.
Hi Peter G-Didn’t it just! The food and clothes are the best part for me. Thankyou so much!
Hi Meg-Oh fantastic! Hehe that would be great-is he not a tomato soup fan?
Hi sandra-Thankyou very much!
You do make it sound great I have to say and yes cuddling up to a loved one is a great way to spend Winter. Hehe I often wonder what we’d be like if we lived in a cold only climate! 
Hi Anita-Thankyou so much! That’s very nice of you to say
Hi Dorcas-Haha I’m a hot weather fan too. I’d love to migrate north for the Summer!
Hi Trisha-Thankyou so much!
Hi Steph-Thankyou! I admit I ate a lot of the meatballs by themselves
Ahh yes well it makes sense, they’re both so much more tolerable aren’t they! 
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Hehe me too!
Hehe sorry! Wonderful, I’d love to know what you think of it 
I’m enjoying all the food I have to say!
Hi Tiffany-Thankyou so much! Ooh that sounds like a nice idea, I’ve never tried that but I should!
Ahh interesting, yes the bugs would be a pain!
Hi Ja-Thankyou! I suppose also working in a kitchen the cold weather is better rather than a super hot kitchen? Or is a kitchen just hot all the time anyway?
Hi anna-I have the exact same issue. My hands and feet get so cold and whilst I like gloves, they’re not that practical and I lose a lot of dexterity.
Hi Arwen-Hhee I feel like the Michelin Man when I wear a lotof clothes. Like suddenly I don’t know my proportions and I bump into things!
Thankyou! 
Hi Bill-Thankyou! Yes a nice summer’s day with a cool breeze is nice
Hi Brianna-OH fantastic! I’d love to know what you think of it
Hi Maria-Do you use that much bread in yours? I usually use more meat in my meatballs. Autumn is veyr nice although it seems to be shorter and colder these last few years!
Hi Rosa-Thanks so much!
Hi nora-Thankyou! Sure you could use any stock really. Thanks
Hi Cakelaw-Yes that’s what stops me from eating them for dinner. Thankyou! Ahh yes a beautiful Winter coat is a lovely thing indeed
Hi Anh-Thankyou so much!
Hi fooderati-Thanks very much! Oh yes Matzo ball soup is da bomb! Yes Winter food definitely helps sell Winter to me. Otherwise it’s just fashion really.
Hi Midge-Thankyou so much!
Hi Parita-Thanks so much
Yes it is! I love that mat 
Hi Rachel-Thankyou!
Hmmm looks like there are lots of Winter people and your list is very persuasive! 
Yummie soup, Lorraine! I adore fresh soup with meatballs, it is like a typical Belgian tomato soup with little meat balls. Belgium is famous for it! The meat balls are much smaller as yours!
Looks so yummie!
What an incredible easy recipe. I am definitely going to try that one in the winter. Although, it’s all Wimbledon and strawberries and cream here at the moment. Nothing quiet like chicken noodle soup when one feels a little under the weather I always think
I love soups esp during winter! Love the meatball croutons!
I seem to be a fan of whatever season I’m not in. During summer I want to bake and roast things. During winter I get cranky because I want fresh tomatoes and lemonade. What a pain I am!
I gave you a shoutout today on my blog!
Actually I’m more intrigued by your trivet. Is that metal or felt? It’s gorgeous.
meatball croutons!! what a notion!! this is one fabulous tomater soup, to be enjoyed any time!
I love your idea for meatball croutons with this delicious tomato soup and adding orzo is wonderful too. My daughter would especially love this – all her favorite ingredients in a great combination!
This is a great soup and I also like winter soups with more body, something to bite into. And I love the meatball crouton idea. I love summer fruits best, but I just adore winter!
This looks fantastic NQN! I’m definitely going to have to try this one soon. I like that we’re seeing your original recipes too!
Hmm hmm I would love to have it for brunch! I’d say soup and stew are best in winter time for their warmth & ingredients in the season
though I can’t deny other yummy summer food with beers.
I love Summer as I was born and grew up in tropical country. In Summer, I can be free without worrying if it is going to be cold or had to wear more layer. Moreover, seem fruits, veggies and herbs are more abundant in Summer!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou! Oh really? Hehe that is very cool. So they are like mini mini meatballs?
Hi DeLaCour-It is indeed!
Oh you are so lucky! Yes this is true 
Hi Pigpigscorner-Hehe that’s great!
Hi SarahKate-Yes I always eat so differently depending on the season/weather but your pattern is interesting!
Not
a pain though I’m sure!
Hi justJENN-Hehe thanks…I think! It’s felt and I love it
Hi grace-Thanks so much! Hehe I just had to try it out just once
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thankyou! Oh that is very cool. I hope that she likes it!
Hi Jamie-Thankyou so much! Yes I can cope with thinner soups in Summer but thicker ones really fill me up properly
I love summer fruit too! 
Hi Soph-Thanks so much! I’m so glad, I’d love to know what you think of it
Yep I’ve been doing them for a while in
between other ones
Hi Yas-Great idea!
Yes most definitely, I totally agree aren’t soups and stews the best round about now?! 
Hi Lilia-Ahh yes I can understand that! Yes there’s a lot more planning and time needed to get ready in Winter!
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