This hearty, stew-like meatball soup is loaded with warm, flavorful spices like cinnamon, cumin and allspice, making it the perfect meal for a cold autumn day. Delicious as is, try serving it with a dollop of Greek yogurt, some torn fresh herbs, and/or some warmed pita bread.
Grate 1/2 onion over a medium bowl, collecting any juices in the bowl. Add the beef, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, the cumin, allspice, and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; mix well. Form into 24 meatballs (about 1 rounded tablespoon each).
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 6 minutes. Remove the meatballs to a plate. Wipe out the pot with a paper towel.
Dice the remaining 1/2 onion. Cut one of the lemon halves into 4 wedges and juice the other half. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon and cook, stirring to coat, 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, rice and meatballs to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the meatballs are cooked through and the soup thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.
Divide the soup among bowls. Serve with the lemon wedges.
Tools You May Need
Photograph by Andrew Purcell
Tools You May Need
Price and stock may change after publish date, and we may make money off
these links.
By entering your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use
and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
Food Network and
its affiliates
may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
To withdraw your consent or learn more about your rights, see the
Privacy Policy.