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Turkey Meatball Soup Recipe Easy Thermos Lunch Ideas for Kids

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A cozy, kid-friendly turkey meatball soup perfect for quick lunches, made with simple ingredients and ideal for packing in a thermos.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs (60 g)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano or basil)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (1 liter)
  • 2 medium carrots, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup small pasta shapes like alphabet or mini shells (60 g, optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional add-ins:
  • 1 cup finely chopped spinach or kale
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas (35 g)
  • A squeeze of lemon juice

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined without overworking.
  2. Shape the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. Use a cookie scoop for uniform size if available.
  3. Heat a large pot over medium heat with a splash of olive oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides without fully cooking through.
  4. Add chicken broth, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Gently add the browned meatballs to the simmering broth. Cook for about 15 minutes until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F and vegetables are tender.
  6. If using pasta, add it now and cook for 7-8 minutes until tender. Stir in chopped spinach or kale during the last 3 minutes to wilt.
  7. Season soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
  8. Let soup cool slightly before transferring to a thermos to keep warm until lunchtime.

Notes

Do not overmix meatball mixture to keep them tender. Brown meatballs before simmering to lock in flavor and prevent falling apart. Use small pasta shapes for kid-friendly texture. Add pasta late to avoid mushiness. Pre-warm thermos with hot water to keep soup warm longer. Meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated. Broth can be topped up with hot water if it reduces too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatball soup, kids lunch, thermos lunch, easy soup recipe, healthy lunch, leftover turkey, quick soup, school lunch ideas

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/turkey-meatball-soup-recipe-easy-thermos-lunch-ideas-for-kids/