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Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting and flavorful soup featuring savory meatballs, tender greens, small pasta, and a rich chicken broth that creates a wholesome and satisfying meal perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Broth and Soup

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup small pasta (acini di pepe, orzo, or tiny ditalini)
  • 4 cups fresh greens (spinach or escarole, chopped)
  • Additional fresh parsley for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine ground beef and pork with minced garlic, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well and shape into small, bite-sized meatballs. Set aside.
  2. Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Gently sear the meatballs until browned on all sides to seal in juices and add flavor. Remove meatballs from the pot and keep aside.
  3. Make the Broth: In the same pot, sauté the finely chopped onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor.
  4. Cook the Pasta and Greens: Add the small pasta to the simmering broth. When the pasta is nearly cooked (about 2-3 minutes before done), stir in the chopped greens to wilt and blend with the soup.
  5. Combine and Finish: Return the meatballs to the pot and simmer gently until cooked through and heated, about 5-7 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional fresh parsley. Serve hot topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Use fresh parsley and basil for more vibrant flavor than dried herbs.
  • Add pasta late in cooking to avoid mushy texture.
  • A splash of lemon juice before serving brightens the flavors.
  • Keep meatballs small and uniform for even cooking.
  • Simmer soup gently to keep meatballs tender and moist.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, meatballs, comfort food, soup recipe, Italian soup, healthy soup, homemade soup, chicken broth soup