Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef or a mixture of beef and chicken
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup small pasta such as acini di pepe, orzo, or small shells
- 4 cups chopped spinach or escarole
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Meatballs
Add the ground meat to a large bowl. Add the egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Mix gently until everything is evenly combined. Avoid overmixing because this can make the meatballs firm instead of tender.
2. Shape the Meatballs
Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it between your hands to form small meatballs.
Italian Wedding Soup traditionally uses small meatballs because they are easy to eat with the vegetables and pasta.
Place the finished meatballs on a plate or baking sheet.
3. Brown the Meatballs
Heat a little olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
Add the meatballs in batches and cook until lightly browned on several sides. They do not need to be completely cooked at this stage because they will finish cooking in the soup.
Remove them from the pot and set aside.
4. Cook the Vegetables
Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the same pot.
Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds.
5. Add the Broth
Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the pot.
Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
6. Add the Meatballs
Carefully place the meatballs into the simmering broth.
Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes.
The meatballs will continue cooking while they add delicious flavor to the broth.
7. Add the Pasta
Add the small pasta to the soup.
Cook according to the pasta package directions, usually around 6–10 minutes, until tender.
Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick together.
8. Add the Greens
Add the chopped spinach or escarole during the final few minutes of cooking.
Stir until the greens wilt and become tender.
Spinach cooks very quickly, so it doesn’t need much time.
9. Finish the Soup
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
For a fresh flavor, add a small amount of lemon juice.
Stir in some grated Parmesan cheese or reserve it for serving.
10. Serve
Ladle the hot Italian Wedding Soup into bowls.
Top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Serve immediately with crusty bread, garlic bread, or toasted baguette.
Helpful Tips
Make small meatballs: Small meatballs cook quickly and are easier to enjoy with the other ingredients.
Don’t overmix the meat: Gently combine the meatball ingredients for a softer texture.
Use homemade broth: Homemade chicken broth can give the soup an especially rich flavor, although good-quality store-bought broth works perfectly well.
Choose your greens: Spinach is quick and mild, while escarole gives the soup a more traditional leafy-green character.
Watch the pasta: Pasta continues absorbing broth as the soup sits. If you’re making the soup ahead of time, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it when serving.
Storage
Allow leftover soup to cool and refrigerate it in an airtight container. It can generally be kept refrigerated for about 3–4 days.
The soup can also be frozen, although the pasta may become softer after thawing. For the best texture, freeze the soup without pasta and add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
Serving Ideas
Italian Wedding Soup makes a wonderful complete meal because it combines protein from the meatballs, vegetables, greens, pasta, and flavorful broth in one bowl.
Serve it with:
- Crusty Italian bread
- Garlic bread
- Toasted baguette
- A simple green salad
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
This is a warm, comforting homemade soup that’s especially enjoyable on a chilly evening or whenever you’re craving a hearty bowl of Italian-style comfort food.
