Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Looking for a comforting, flavorful soup that’s both easy to make and packed with healthy ingredients? This Italian Wedding Soup Recipe is exactly what you need! This classic soup is known for its delicious combination of tender mini meatballs, leafy greens, and a savory broth, making it a perfect meal for any time of year.

What is Italian Wedding Soup?

Italian Wedding Soup, or minestra maritata in Italian, is a traditional soup combining meat and greens, symbolizing the “marriage” of flavors – hence its name. It’s typically a broth-based soup featuring small meatballs (usually a blend of pork and beef), a green vegetable like spinach, escarole, or kale, and sometimes small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or orzo.

Each element brings a unique texture and taste to the bowl, creating a harmonious and satisfying experience. The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Its origins are steeped in Italian tradition, making it a beloved comfort food across generations. This recipe replicates the authentic flavors you would find in Nonna’s kitchen, and is sure to please. Eager to bring a touch of Italy to your table? Give this delightful Italian Wedding Soup Recipe a try!

Key Ingredients for Italian Wedding Soup:

• Meatballs:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Soup:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup acini di pepe pasta (or other small pasta)
  • 10 ounces chopped fresh spinach (or escarole or kale)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

How to Make Italian Wedding Soup: A Simple Comfort

This Italian Wedding Soup Recipe is easy to prepare, offering a hearty and delicious meal in under an hour. Featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful broth with fresh spinach and tiny pasta, this one-pot wonder is both comforting and nutritious.

The simplicity of the recipe, combined with satisfying depth of flavor, makes this Italian Wedding Soup a true standout. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create a complete, satisfying dinner with just a few ingredients. Get ready to enjoy a warm, comforting bowl in about 45 minutes!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly with your hands.
2. Roll the Meatballs: Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1/2 inch in diameter. This is important for even cooking and the classic soup experience.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
4. Add the Broth: Pour the chicken broth into the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Bring the broth to a simmer. Salt to taste.
5. Cook the Meatballs: Gently drop the mini meatballs into the simmering broth. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. They should float to the surface.
6. Add the Pasta: Stir in the acini di pepe pasta (or other small pasta) and cook according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes.
7. Add the Greens: Add the chopped spinach (or escarole or kale) to the soup during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. The greens will wilt quickly.
8. Season and Serve: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot.

Why You’ll Love This Italian Wedding Soup:

This Italian Wedding Soup is a heartwarming dish brimming with simple flavors that create an unforgettable experience. The highlight of this soup is undoubtedly the tender, flavorful mini meatballs, perfectly seasoned and simmered to perfection. Making it at home is a cost-effective way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal, allowing you to control the ingredients and tailor the flavors to your preference.

What makes this recipe truly special is the combination of the savory broth, delicate meatballs, and the fresh, slightly bitter notes of the greens. It’s a harmonious blend that is both comforting and satisfying. If you enjoy a hearty soup filled with vegetables and meat, consider trying a classic Minestrone Soup after this one for a vegetarian alternative. Ready to experience the ultimate comfort food? Try this Italian Wedding Soup recipe today and delight your taste buds!

What to Serve Italian Wedding Soup With:

Italian Wedding Soup is a complete meal in itself, but here are a few suggestions of what to serve with it to enhance the dining experience:

• Crusty Bread: A slice of warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
• Side Salad: A light and refreshing side salad with a simple vinaigrette dressing will balance the richness of the soup.
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich: For a heartier meal, serve the soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. The melted cheese complements the savory flavors of the soup beautifully.

Top Tips for Perfecting Italian Wedding Soup:

• Don’t Overmix the Meatball Mixture: Overmixing can result in tough meatballs. Gently combine the ingredients until just mixed.
• Use Quality Broth: The quality of the broth can significantly impact the flavor of the soup. Opt for a high-quality chicken broth or homemade broth for the best results.
• Adjust the Greens to Your Preference: If you prefer a milder flavor, use spinach. For a more robust flavor, use escarole or kale. Remove tough ribs of kale before chopping.
• Make It Ahead: Italian Wedding Soup tastes even better the next day, after the flavors have had time to meld together.
• Freeze for Later: Freeze the soup in individual portions for quick and easy meals. Hold the pasta when freezing as it can become mushy upon thawing. Cook seperately and add when reheating the soup.

5 Facts About Italian Wedding Soup:

1. Origin: Despite its name, Italian Wedding Soup is not traditionally served at Italian weddings. The name comes from the Italian phrase “minestra maritata,” which means “married soup,” referring to the marriage of flavors between the meat and the greens.
2. Regional Variations: There are many regional variations of Italian Wedding Soup in Italy. Some versions include additional vegetables like potatoes or zucchini.
3. Greens Used: While spinach, escarole, and kale are the most common greens used in the soup, other greens such as Swiss chard or mustard greens can also be used.
4. Nutritional Benefits: Italian Wedding Soup is a nutritious and balanced meal, providing protein from the meatballs, vitamins and minerals from the greens, and carbohydrates from the pasta.
5. Acini di Pepe: Acini di pepe pasta, which translates to “peppercorns,” is a popular choice for Italian Wedding Soup due to its small size and pleasing texture.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

• Storing: Allow the Italian Wedding Soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the soup. It’s best to freeze it without the pasta, as the pasta tends to become mushy upon thawing. If you do freeze it with pasta, be aware that the texture may change. To freeze, portion the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheating:
  • Refrigerated Soup: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. If the soup has thickened too much, add a little more chicken broth or water.
  • Frozen Soup: Thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat it directly from frozen on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If you froze the soup without pasta, cook the pasta separately and add it to the soup during the last few minutes of reheating.

Final Thoughts:

This Italian Wedding Soup Recipe is a testament to the beauty of simple, flavorful ingredients coming together to create a comforting and satisfying meal. Whether you’re looking for a cozy weeknight dinner or a hearty soup to warm you up on a chilly day, this recipe is sure to please. So gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and enjoy a delicious bowl of homemade Italian Wedding Soup!

try also : Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe and find more in pinterest

Italian Wedding Soup FAQs:

Q: Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork?
A: Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef and pork. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly to ensure a flavorful meatball.

Q: Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Sauté the vegetables in a skillet first, then transfer them to the slow cooker. Add the broth and uncooked meatballs. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add the pasta and greens during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Q: My soup is too salty. What can I do?
A: If your soup is too salty, you can try adding a peeled and quartered potato to the soup while it simmers. The potato will absorb some of the saltiness. Remove the potato before serving.

Q: Can I add other vegetables to this soup?
A: Certainly! Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, or green beans to the soup. Add them along with the pasta to ensure they cook through.

Q: What kind of breadcrumbs should I use?
A: You can use either plain or Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. If using plain breadcrumbs, you may want to add a pinch of Italian seasoning to the meatball mixture for extra flavor.