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Curry Meatball Soup

This creamy curry meatball soup is packed with bold flavors, tender meatballs, and hearty orzo, all simmered in a fragrant coconut curry broth. A one-pot meal ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner!

Bowl of curry meatball soup garnished with chopped cilantro.


 

Easy Curry Meatball Soup Recipe

  • This one-pot soup comes together quickly with minimal prep and simple ingredients.
  • The rich and creamy coconut curry broth makes every bite absolutely irresistible!
Bowls of ingredients to make curry coconut meatball soup.

Ingredients for Curry Meatball Soup

  • Meatballs: Frozen store-bought meatballs work well in this recipe. I prefer beef but you could also use chicken meatballs.
  • Yellow Onion: Adds a mild, sweet flavor to the soup. Swap with shallots or white onion.
  • Garlic: Enhances the depth of flavor in the curry broth. You can use garlic powder in a pinch but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
  • Red Curry Paste: Provides a spicy, aromatic base for the soup. Adjust the amount to your spice preference.
  • Curry Powder: Adds warmth and complexity to the dish.
  • Chicken Stock: Forms the flavorful base of the soup. Vegetable stock can be used as a substitute.
  • Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk: Creates a rich and creamy texture. You can use light coconut milk, heavy cream, or half and half instead. Although the consistency will be slightly different.
  • Orzo Pasta: Adds heartiness to the soup. I prefer orzo because it cooks so quickly. Ditalini would be another good option.
  • Kale: Brings a pop of color and delicious flavor. Spinach is a great alternative.

How to Make Curry Meatball Soup

Sear the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add frozen meatballs and sear until they develop a golden crust on all sides.

Seared meatballs in a large pot.

Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and add diced yellow onion, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened, then add garlic, red curry paste, and curry powder, stirring frequently for 1 minute.

Onion, garlic, curry paste, and meatballs in a large pot.

Add Everything to the Pot: Pour in chicken stock, coconut milk, and orzo pasta.

Coconut milk and chicken stock added to a large pot of soup.

Simmer: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Cooked meatballs and orzo pasta in a creamy curry broth.

Add the Kale: Stir in chopped kale and let it wilt into the soup. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Fresh kale being added to a large pot of meatball soup.

Garnish and Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with fresh chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

Large pot of creamy curry meatball soup with orzo and kale.

Tips for Making Curry Meatball Soup

  • Spice Level. Check how spicy your red curry paste is. If you are spice-averse, use 2 teaspoons of curry paste (or less). If you like a kick, use 3 teaspoons (or more)! For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
  • Garnish. Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley will add a bright flavor to this soup. Serve the garnish on the side so guests can add as much or as little as they want.

Make-Ahead Instructions

  • Prepare the soup without the orzo, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat and add cooked orzo before serving for the best texture.
A bowl of curry meatball soup with a spoon.

Storing Leftovers

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • The orzo may absorb liquid, so add a splash of broth when reheating.

Freezing Curry Meatball Soup

  • This soup freezes well without the orzo. The texture of the pasta gets mushy after it’s frozen, thawed, and reheated.
  • Freeze soup without orzo for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and adding fresh cooked orzo.

Reheating Curry Meatball Soup

  • Reheat on the stove over medium heat until warmed through.
  • Add extra broth if needed to adjust the consistency.
  • Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.

Serving Suggestions

Try these easy soup recipes next!

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Curry Meatball Soup

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This creamy curry meatball soup is packed with bold flavors, tender meatballs, and hearty orzo, all simmered in a fragrant coconut curry broth. A one-pot meal ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner!

  • Author: Kylie
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American/Indian/Thai

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 18 ounce bag frozen meatballs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon red curry paste
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 32 ounces chicken stock
  • 1 (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 cups chopped kale
  • Kosher salt
  • fresh cracked pepper
  • fresh chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and give them a quick sear for a few minutes until they’ve got a nice crust on all sides.
  2. Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to the pot and reduce heat to medium. Add diced yellow onion and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes.
  3. Add 6 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon curry paste, 2 teaspoons curry powder, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
  4. Add 32 ounces of broth, 1 can of full-fat coconut milk, and 1 cup of uncooked orzo pasta, along with a couple large pinches of salt and pepper.
  5. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente. Stir every minute or so to ensure that the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. 
  6. Stir in 2 cups chopped kale until the kale wilts and the soup is warmed through.
  7. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and enjoy!
  8. If you loved this recipe, leave a 5-star rating and review below!

Notes

    • Spice Level. Check how spicy your red curry paste is. If you are spice-averse, use 2 teaspoons of curry paste (or less). If you like a kick, use 3 teaspoons (or more)! For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.

    • Garnish. Fresh chopped cilantro or parsley will add a bright flavor to this soup. Serve the garnish on the side so guests can add as much or as little as they want.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of the soup
  • Calories: 370
  • Sugar: 5.3 g
  • Sodium: 616.6 mg
  • Fat: 25.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21.9 g
  • Fiber: 2.6 g
  • Protein: 14.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 45.5 mg

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