Heartwarming Italian Wedding Soup Recipe for Cozy Gatherings

Steaming bowls of comfort emerge from a rich culinary tradition in this delectable italian wedding soup recipe that warms the soul.

Tender meatballs and delicate pasta dance alongside vibrant vegetables in a savory broth.

Generations of Italian kitchens have perfected this classic dish, blending rustic ingredients with simple, elegant techniques.

Each spoonful tells a story of home-cooked love and Mediterranean flavors.

Packed with nutrition and robust taste, this soup offers a complete meal in a single bowl.

The combination of ground meats, herbs, and carefully selected vegetables creates a harmonious symphony of textures and tastes.

Prepare to savor every moment of this authentic, heartwarming meal that connects you directly to the heart of Italian cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients For Italian Wedding Soup

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: Provides rich, hearty base with balanced meat flavor; choose fresh, lean cuts for tender texture.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind meatballs and create light, airy consistency; use plain or Italian-seasoned varieties.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth and helps meatballs hold together; select freshly grated for best flavor.
• Egg: Acts as natural binding agent for meatball mixture; use room temperature egg for easier mixing.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, herbaceous note and visual appeal; choose vibrant green leaves without wilting.

• Chicken Broth: Creates foundational liquid with savory undertones; opt for low-sodium versions to control saltiness.
• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix blend offering aromatic, sweet vegetable foundation; select crisp, firm produce.
• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent flavor profile; choose firm bulbs without soft spots.

• Orzo Pasta: Small rice-shaped pasta that adds delightful texture; select high-quality Italian brand.
• Spinach: Introduces fresh, nutritious green element; pick tender leaves without yellowing edges.
• Olive Oil: Enables smooth sautéing and adds subtle fruity undertone; choose extra virgin for best quality.

Kitchen Items For Italian Wedding Soup

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining meatball ingredients and rolling meatballs.
• Large Soup Pot: Perfect for browning meatballs, sautéing vegetables, and simmering the entire soup.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, and celery.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for balanced flavor.
• Plate: Used for transferring browned meatballs during cooking process.

Steps To Cook Italian Wedding Soup

• Create Tiny Morsels

Mix meat ingredients thoroughly and shape into bite-sized rounds. Roll gently to form perfect little spheres.

• Golden Brown Magic

Warm olive oil in a large pot. Sizzle meatballs until they develop a beautiful golden exterior, rotating to ensure even coloring. Remove and set aside.

• Veggie Dance

In the same pot, toss chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Let them soften and release their sweet flavors. Add minced garlic for an aromatic boost.

• Liquid Symphony

Pour chicken broth into the pot. Bring to a gentle bubble. Return meatballs to the liquid and let them simmer, becoming tender and flavorful.

• Final Flourish

Drop pasta into the bubbling broth. Cook until perfectly al dente. Moments before serving, fold in fresh spinach leaves, watching them wilt and add vibrant green color to your comforting soup.

Tips For Rich Italian Wedding Soup Flavor

• Meatball Mastery: Use a small cookie scoop or wet hands to create uniform, perfectly round meatballs that cook evenly and look professional.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs and soup base a day ahead, storing separately in the refrigerator to intensify flavors and save time during meal preparation.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free orzo or rice, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs in meatballs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version of this classic Italian soup that doesn't compromise on taste.
• Protein Power Boost: Experiment with ground turkey, chicken, or a lean beef mix for meatballs to adjust protein content and create different flavor profiles while keeping the soup hearty and satisfying.

Serving Suggestions For Italian Wedding Soup

• Perfect Plate Pairings
• Crusty Bread Companion: Slice a warm, rustic Italian bread to soak up the flavorful broth. Brush with olive oil and toast for extra crunch.
• Fresh Salad Sidekick: Prepare a light arugula salad with shaved parmesan, lemon vinaigrette, and toasted pine nuts to complement the hearty soup.
• Cheese Garnish Delight: Sprinkle freshly grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese on top just before serving for an extra layer of rich, salty flavor.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or a light-bodied red such as chianti to enhance the soup's Mediterranean essence.

How To Store Italian Wedding Soup

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare a double recipe and freeze half for quick weeknight meals. Extra soup stays delicious for up to 3 months in sealed containers.
• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Keep pasta and meatballs separate from broth to maintain perfect texture when reheating.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm soup slowly on stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Avoid microwave to prevent rubbery meatballs and mushy pasta.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop vegetables and roll meatballs in advance. Refrigerate prepared ingredients for up to 24 hours, making soup assembly super quick and easy.

Hearty Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Comforting Italian wedding soup blends delicate meatballs with tender greens in a savory broth. Generations of Italian families cherish this hearty soup as a classic centerpiece of home cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ pound (226.8 g) ground beef
• ½ pound (226.8 g) ground pork
• 1 egg
• ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup (236 ml) acini di pepe or orzo pasta
• 4 cups baby spinach or escarole, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan, for serving

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Instructions

1. Meatball Preparation: Thoroughly blend all meatball components in a generously sized mixing bowl. Craft uniform spheres roughly 3/4 inch in diameter, maintaining consistent sizing for optimal cooking performance.
2. Meatball Browning: Warm olive oil in a substantial soup pot over medium heat. Systematically brown meatballs in rotating batches until achieving a rich golden exterior. Transfer partially cooked meatballs to a separate plate.
3. Vegetable Foundation: Utilize the identical pot to sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they soften and develop delicate caramelization. Introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the mixture for an additional minute.
4. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the vegetable base, escalating to a robust boil. Reintegrate browned meatballs, immediately reducing heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the soup to develop complex flavor profiles for approximately 10 minutes.
5. Final Assembly: Add pasta directly into the simmering liquid, cooking according to standard guidelines. During the concluding cooking moments, delicately fold fresh spinach leaves, observing them elegantly wilt and merge with the soup’s texture. Conduct a final seasoning assessment, ensuring a harmonious flavor balance. Serve piping hot, optionally garnishing with freshly grated parmesan cheese for enhanced gustatory complexity.

Notes

• Meatball Precision: Create uniform, compact meatballs by rolling gently and consistently. Aim for 3/4-inch diameter to ensure even cooking and balanced texture throughout the soup.
• Flavor Layering: Brown meatballs separately to develop deep, rich caramelized exterior before simmering. This technique locks in savory flavors and prevents bland protein.
• Vegetable Softening Technique: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until slightly caramelized, allowing natural sugars to emerge. Watch carefully to prevent burning, creating a robust flavor foundation.
• Spinach Timing: Add spinach during final two minutes of cooking to maintain vibrant green color and preserve delicate nutrients. Avoid overcooking to keep leaves tender and fresh-tasting.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 50mg