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Italian Wedding Soup

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A comforting Italian-American classic featuring hearty meatballs, vibrant greens, and flavorful broth, perfect for cozy nights and festive gatherings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb. ground pork
  • 2 slices white bread (crumbled finely)
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 sprig fresh oregano (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
For the Soup Base
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil (divided) 1 tablespoon for the meatballs, 1 tablespoon for sautéing vegetables
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 large carrot (diced finely)
  • 2 stalks celery (diced finely)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup acini pasta or other small pasta
  • 1 cup escarole (or baby spinach or kale, chopped) Feel free to substitute greens based on preference

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, ground pork, crumbled bread, parsley, chopped oregano, parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Knead this mixture until well combined. Pinch off small pieces and roll them into balls.
Cooking Meatballs
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking them for about 4-5 minutes until browned. Flip them halfway to ensure even cooking. Once done, transfer them to a plate.
Make the Soup
  1. In a large soup pot, heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until they’re tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Add in the cooked meatballs and the pasta. Stir well, then reduce the heat to medium, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes.
  3. Stir in your choice of greens (escarole, spinach, or kale) and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot, sprinkled with extra parmesan cheese.
Serving
  1. Ladle the soup into large bowls and garnish with additional freshly grated parmesan. Serve alongside crispy garlic bread or a fresh side salad if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 850mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!