Creamy Tuscan Turkey Soup (Printable Version)

Tender turkey meatballs simmer in creamy Parmesan broth with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes for rich flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Soup Base

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
12 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
14 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
15 - 1 cup heavy cream
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced, drained
18 - 4 cups baby spinach
19 - Salt and pepper to taste
20 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined without overworking. Form into 1-inch meatballs and arrange on a tray.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Working in batches, brown meatballs on all sides for 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Meatballs do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the same pot. Sauté diced onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Return browned meatballs to the pot. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
06 - Stir in baby spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The meatballs stay impossibly tender because turkey is lean, and the cream sauce keeps everything silky instead of heavy.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes bring a concentrated tang that makes you feel fancy without needing a long ingredient list.
  • This comes together in under an hour, which means weeknight dinner doesn't have to taste rushed.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the meatballs—that golden crust is where the flavor lives, and it only takes a few extra minutes.
  • Heavy cream can break if the heat is too high or if you stir too vigorously; gentle is the word once cream enters the pot.
  • Taste the soup before serving and adjust salt carefully—the Parmesan and broth already contribute quite a bit.
03 -
  • Make extra meatballs and freeze them unbaked—they go from freezer to pot without thawing and actually cook more evenly.
  • A crack of red pepper flakes isn't just heat; it's complexity that makes people wonder what the secret ingredient is.
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