Name: Mexican Meatball Soup with Rice and Cilantro
Yield: Makes 6 to 8 (main-course) servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 3/4 cups chopped onions; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 small bay leaves; 5 14 1/2-ounce cans beef broth; 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice; 1/2 cup chunky tomato salsa (medium-hot); 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1/4 pound bulk pork sausage; 6 tablespoons yellow cornmeal; 1/4 cup whole milk; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 cup long-grain white rice

Image may contain Bowl Food Meatball Dish and Meal

Mexican Meatball Soup with Rice and CilantroScott Peterson

"For as long as I can remember, every Christmas Eve I've hosted an open house with a Mexican buffet," writes Jill Cole of Fallbrook, California. "Any suggestion of varying the meal is met with cries of protest from family and friends. I set out guacamole, salsa, homemade tamales, and what has become my famous albóndigas soup."

Be sure to put out hot sauce for those who like extra heat.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.