Print

Cozy Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and easy-to-make Italian Wedding Soup featuring tender meatballs, fresh greens, and flavorful broth, perfect for cozy meals and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian style or plain)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 cups chicken broth (homemade or low sodium)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1 cup escarole or kale, chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup small pasta like acini di pepe or orzo (optional, omit for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, about 5 minutes.
  2. Roll the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs, wetting hands slightly to prevent sticking. Set aside on a plate. Makes about 30 meatballs. (10 minutes)
  3. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute. (7-8 minutes)
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Season with salt and pepper. (3-5 minutes)
  5. Carefully add meatballs one by one to the simmering broth. Cook gently for about 10 minutes until meatballs float and are cooked through. Avoid stirring too much. (10 minutes)
  6. Stir in baby spinach, escarole (if using), and small pasta. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 8-10 minutes. (8-10 minutes)
  7. Taste broth and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Optionally add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a splash of vinegar to brighten flavors. (2 minutes)
  8. Ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle extra Parmesan and fresh parsley on top if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Use good-quality chicken broth for best flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and omit pasta or substitute gluten-free pasta. Ground turkey can replace beef and pork for a leaner meatball. Avoid overmixing meatballs to keep them tender. Add lemon juice or vinegar to brighten broth if needed. Reheat with extra broth or water if soup thickens. Freeze without pasta for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, meatballs, comforting soup, easy dinner, cozy meals, spinach soup, homemade soup, family recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/cozy-italian-wedding-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comforting-meals/