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Supa Topcheta is one of the most comforting Bulgarian soups. Warm, nourishing and simple, it is the kind of recipe many of us grew up with. Tender meatballs, soft vegetables, fide noodles and a silky yogurt and egg zastroika come together in a cozy, budget friendly bowl that works for any day of the week.
This is my lighter, quicker version. No rice, easier on the stomach, kid friendly and ready in under 45 minutes. It is the soup I make when I want something homemade that feels grounding and nourishing without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Traditional Bulgarian flavor with a lighter feel
• Pork and beef mix makes the meatballs soft and tender
• No rice, which keeps the soup lighter and quicker to cook
• Fide noodles give that nostalgic Bulgarian touch
• Zastroika makes the broth silky without using cream
• Works on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot
• Simple ingredients and minimal prep
• Great for kids and busy days
What You Need
For the meatballs
• 12 oz ground pork and beef mix (400 g)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp savory seasoning (summer or winter savory)
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp flour for rolling
For the soup
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp savory seasoning
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp Vegeta
• 4 to 5 cups water or vegetable stock (1 to 1.2 liters)
• 1.4 oz fide noodles or thin spaghetti broken into small pieces (40 g)
• Fresh parsley
For the zastroika
• 2 egg yolks
• 8 tbsp plain yogurt
Vegetable stock gives the soup a deeper flavor than water and is worth using if you have it.
What Is Zastroika
Zastroika is a traditional Bulgarian mixture of egg yolks and yogurt that gives soups a silky, creamy finish without using any cream. It gets tempered with hot broth before being added, so it blends smoothly without curdling.
In this recipe it adds gentle richness, a mild tang and the authentic Bulgarian taste that makes Supa Topcheta so loved.
How to Make Supa Topcheta
1. Prepare the meatballs
Combine the ground meat with salt, pepper, savory seasoning, paprika, oregano, cumin and onion powder. Mix gently. Shape into small 2 to 3 cm meatballs. Place flour on a plate and roll each meatball lightly in flour.
2. Sauté the vegetables
Heat the oil in a pot. Add the onion, carrot and potato and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they soften.
3. Build the broth
Pour in the water or vegetable stock. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, savory seasoning, oregano and Vegeta. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Add the meatballs
Drop the floured meatballs into the pot. Simmer about 15 minutes until they firm up and float.
5. Add the noodles
Add the fide noodles and cook 8 to 10 minutes until tender.
6. Make the zastroika
Whisk the egg yolks with the yogurt. Add a ladle of hot soup while whisking to temper. Repeat once more.
7. Finish the soup
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the zastroika. Do not boil. Add fresh parsley and adjust seasoning.
Instant Pot Method
- Add parsley and adjust seasoning.
- Turn on Sauté mode. Add oil, onion, carrot and potato. Cook 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour in 1 to 1.2 liters water or vegetable stock.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, savory, oregano and Vegeta.
- Add the floured meatballs gently.
- Cook 8 minutes on High Pressure. Allow 10 minutes natural release.
- Turn on Sauté mode again. Add the fide noodles and cook 8 to 10 minutes.
- Temper the zastroika with hot soup and stir it in. Do not boil.
Tips for Success
• Mix the meat gently so it stays tender
• Rolling meatballs in flour keeps them from falling apart
• Do not boil after adding the zastroika
• Fide cooks quickly so watch the timing
• Add a little hot water when reheating because noodles absorb broth
• Vegetable stock makes the soup richer
• Make smaller meatballs to shorten the cooking time
FAQ
Yes. The soup will still be delicious, just lighter.
Yes, but the mix is softer and more traditional.
Thin spaghetti broken into small pieces works perfectly.
Yes, but vegetable stock gives a cleaner Bulgarian flavor.
No, because of the zastroika. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Similar Recipes
Supa Topcheta (Bulgarian Meatball Soup)
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 400 g ground pork and beef mix, 12 oz
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp savory seasoning
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp flour for rolling
For the soup
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp savory seasoning
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp Vegeta
- 4-5 cups water or vegetable stock, 1 to 1.2 liters
- 40 g fide noodles or thin spaghetti broken into small pieces, 1.4 oz
- Fresh parsley
For the zastroika
- 2 egg yolks
- 4 tbsp plain yogurt
Instructions
- In a bowl mix 12 oz ground pork and beef (400 g) with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp savory, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp cumin and 1/4 tsp onion powder. Shape into 1 inch (2 to 3 cm) meatballs.
- Place 2 tbsp flour (15 g) on a plate. Roll each meatball lightly in flour.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pot. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced carrot and 1 diced potato. Cook 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour in 4 to 5 cups water or vegetable stock (1 to 1.2 liters). Add 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp savory, 1/4 tsp oregano and 1 tsp Vegeta. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the floured meatballs. Cook about 15 minutes until they rise to the top and firm up.
- Add 1.4 oz fide noodles (40 g) or broken thin spaghetti. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes until tender.
- In a bowl whisk 2 egg yolks with 1/2 cup yogurt (120 g). Temper by adding a ladle of hot soup, whisking constantly. Repeat once more.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir the zastroika into the soup slowly. Do not boil.
- Add chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning.
Notes
• Add hot water when reheating because noodles absorb liquid
• Vegetable stock gives deeper flavor
• For gluten free, skip the flour and use gluten free noodles
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
