Hungarian Meatball Soup with Vegetables – Húsgombócleves

Hungarian Meatball Soup with Vegetables, known as Húsgombócleves, is a hearty and comforting Hungarian soup filled with tender meatballs, potatoes, carrots, rice, and flavorful vegetables simmered in a rich paprika-tomato broth.

Unlike the clear-broth version of Hungarian meatball soup, this variation has a beautiful deep red color and rich savory flavor from Hungarian paprika and tomatoes. It’s warming, filling, and perfect for a traditional family meal.

🇭🇺 What Is Húsgombócleves?

In Hungarian, húsgombóc means meatball and leves means soup. The name therefore translates simply to meatball soup.

Hungarian families prepare many different versions of this comforting soup. Some have a clear broth, while others use paprika and tomato for a richer, more colorful base.

This version combines juicy meatballs with rice and vegetables, creating a complete and satisfying bowl of soup.

🥣 Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb (450 g) ground pork
• ½ cup (100 g) cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Soup

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 small bell pepper, diced
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup (240 ml) crushed tomatoes
• 7 cups (1.7 liters) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon caraway seeds
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Optional

• ½ teaspoon hot Hungarian paprika
• ½ cup diced celery
• A small handful of fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice