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Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

A classic Italian Wedding Soup with flavorful mini meatballs, tender pasta, and fresh greens.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

Meatballs
  • 0.5 lb lean ground beef
  • 0.5 lb ground pork
  • 0.5 cup fresh white bread crumbs from fresh bread, not dried
  • 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1.5 tsp minced fresh oregano (or 0.75 tsp dried)
  • 0.5 cup finely shredded parmesan
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Soup Base
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1.25 cup chopped carrots
  • 1.25 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 0.75 cup chopped celery
  • 4 cloves garlic minced (1.5 Tbsp)
  • 5 cans low-sodium chicken broth 14.5 oz each
  • 1 cup dry acini di pepe (or orzo pasta)
  • 6 oz fresh baby spinach roughly chopped
  • finely shredded parmesan for serving

Method
 

Prepare Meatballs
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef and pork. Add bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, parmesan, egg, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
  2. Gently toss the mixture with your hands until evenly combined. Shape into very small meatballs, about 3/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter. Transfer to a large plate.
  3. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook until browned on 2-3 sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  4. Repeat the browning process with the remaining meatballs. Note: Meatballs will not be fully cooked through at this stage; they will finish cooking in the soup.
Make the Soup
  1. While browning the meatballs, heat the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onions, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute longer.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the pasta and browned meatballs. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  3. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Stir in the spinach during the last minute of cooking.
  4. Serve hot, sprinkled with additional parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg

Notes

This soup is best served fresh. If you have leftovers, store the soup and meatballs separately from the pasta to prevent it from getting mushy.
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