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+ servings

Italian Wedding Soup

A warm and comforting dish combining flavorful meatballs, fresh vegetables, and tender pasta in a delicious broth, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs
  • 8 oz lean ground beef
  • 8 oz ground pork
  • 1/2 cup fresh white bread crumbs (from fresh bread, not dried)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 1/2 tsp minced fresh oregano (or 3/4 tsp dried)
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan
  • 1 large egg
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the soup
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped carrots
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 3/4 cup chopped celery
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (1 1/2 Tbsp)
  • 5 cans low-sodium chicken broth (14.5 oz each)
  • 1 cup dry acini di pepe or orzo pasta
  • 6 oz fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • Finely shredded Parmesan, for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef and ground pork. Add the fresh white bread crumbs, chopped parsley, minced oregano, shredded Parmesan, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until everything is combined.
  2. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 3/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter. Place the meatballs on a large plate, making sure they do not stick together.
Cooking the Meatballs
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs in a single layer and cook, turning them occasionally to brown on a few sides for about 4 minutes. Move the browned meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat this for the remaining meatballs.
Making the Soup
  1. While the meatballs are browning, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped carrots, onions, and celery. Sauté the vegetables until they're softened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  2. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth into the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. Stir in the dry acini di pepe or orzo pasta along with the partially cooked meatballs. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and let the meatballs cook through.
  4. In the last minute of cooking, add the roughly chopped fresh baby spinach to the soup and stir until wilted.
  5. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with finely shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 22gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

Serve Italian Wedding Soup hot, garnished with a generous sprinkle of finely shredded Parmesan cheese. Pair with crusty bread for dipping or enjoy alone. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months without pasta to prevent mushiness.

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