A hearty and flavorful soup featuring tender meatballs and a rich broth, perfect for a cozy meal.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork sausage, small diced onion, egg, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, milk, fresh basil, and breadcrumbs.
Ensure the ingredients are evenly mixed for consistent flavor in each meatball.
Form the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs and set aside.
Use slightly wet hands to prevent the mixture from sticking while shaping.
In a large pot, combine the beef broth, green chili salsa, diced onion, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and black pepper.
Stir the ingredients well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Bring the soup base to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
Simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Add the meatballs and uncooked rice to the simmering soup base.
Gently stir to avoid breaking the meatballs.
Cover the pot and simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Check occasionally to ensure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Serve the soup hot, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
Pair with crusty bread for a complete meal.