Description
Italian Wedding Soup is a cozy and heartwarming Italian classic combining tender homemade meatballs, fresh greens, and a savory chicken broth. This nourishing soup offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it an ideal comfort meal for any day. Quick to prepare and highly customizable, it brings warmth and tradition to your table with every comforting spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Broth and Soup
- 6 cups chicken broth (homemade or quality store-bought)
- 1/2 cup small pasta (acini di pepe, orzo, or pastina)
- 4 cups fresh greens (escarole, spinach, or alternative like kale or Swiss chard), chopped
- Additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Additional fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Optional Seasonings
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Dash of smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef and pork with the egg, grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, then shape the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs.
- Make the Broth Base: In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat. This savory broth serves as the flavorful base of the soup.
- Cook the Meatballs: Carefully add the prepared meatballs into the simmering broth. Allow them to cook for about 10 minutes until they are firm and fully cooked through, infusing the broth with their rich flavors.
- Add Pasta and Greens: Stir in the small pasta and chopped fresh greens such as escarole or spinach. Cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the pasta is tender and the greens remain vibrant yet soft.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley and garlic for the best flavor impact.
- Mix the meatball ingredients gently to keep them tender and avoid toughness.
- Simmer the broth; avoid boiling to prevent meatballs from breaking apart.
- Add the greens last to preserve their vibrant color and slight crunch.
- Use high-quality or homemade chicken broth to elevate the flavor.
- To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days; add fresh pasta when reheating.
- For freezing, omit the pasta to prevent mushiness on reheating.
- Reheat gently on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to warm evenly without overcooking meatballs or greens.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Italian wedding soup, meatball soup, comfort food, Italian soup, easy soup recipe
