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Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 10 reviews

A comforting and classic Italian Wedding Soup featuring tender homemade meatballs, fresh vegetables, and hearty pasta simmered in a flavorful chicken broth, perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ lb. ground beef (85% lean)
  • ½ lb. ground pork
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ⅓ cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Soup Base

  • 1 yellow onion (diced)
  • 1¼ cups carrots (diced)
  • 2 celery ribs (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ¾ cup acini de pepe pasta (uncooked)
  • 4–5 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Meatballs: In a large bowl, gently combine ground beef, ground pork, beaten egg, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix carefully without overworking the meat to ensure tender meatballs. Roll the mixture into 3/4-inch balls and set aside.
  2. Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, cooking for about 2 minutes per side. The meatballs will finish cooking in the soup later. Remove browned meatballs from the pot and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium heat for about 6 minutes until the vegetables soften, adding a splash of olive oil if necessary. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Add Garlic and Seasoning: Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the vegetables, cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
  6. Combine Meatballs and Simmer: Return the browned meatballs to the pot with the simmering broth and vegetables. Let them cook gently in the soup.
  7. Cook Pasta Separately: In a separate pot, cook acini de pepe pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta. Cooking pasta separately prevents it from absorbing too much broth during storage. If there are no leftovers planned, you may cook the pasta directly in the soup or add cooked pasta to the soup pot.
  8. Add Spinach: Stir fresh spinach into the soup and cook for about 2 minutes, until wilted and tender.
  9. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls over the cooked pasta. Garnish each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • For leftovers, keep pasta separate to avoid it becoming mushy by absorbing broth.
  • Ground beef and pork can be substituted with all beef or all pork based on preference.
  • Spinach can be replaced with escarole or kale for a different leafy green option.
  • Italian seasoning can be homemade or store-bought; oregano, basil, and thyme are key components.
  • Instant Pot or Crock Pot methods can be used to cook the soup but times will vary.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for optimal flavor and texture as opposed to pre-grated.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, Meatball Soup, Italian Soup, Comfort Food, Chicken Broth Soup, Easy Italian Recipes

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/italian-wedding-soup-recipe/