Italian Wedding Soup

Fragrant broth, filled with tiny meatballs, tender greens, and delicate pasta, Italian Wedding Soup is a heartwarming and classic dish, a comforting embrace in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you crave a taste of Italian culinary tradition. This is not just a simple soup; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures, where savory meatballs, vibrant greens, and delicate pasta dance in a rich and flavorful broth, creating a dish that is both incredibly easy to prepare and surprisingly sophisticated in its comforting simplicity. Imagine the inviting aroma of simmering broth and herbs filling your kitchen, the gentle bubbling of the soup on the stovetop, and the first spoonful delivering a perfect harmony of savory meatballs, tender greens, and a light, flavorful broth, promising a culinary experience that is both quick to create and utterly delightful to share. This recipe is your invitation to experience Italian comfort food at its finest, bringing the timeless appeal of Italian Wedding Soup to your table, ready to be enjoyed by the whole family with its delicious taste and effortless warmth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

One-Pot Wonder for Easy Cleanup

Appreciate the convenience of Italian Wedding Soup. Prepared entirely in one pot, this recipe minimizes cleanup, making it a weeknight dinner champion for busy cooks who value both flavour and efficiency. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying homemade soup without the mountain of dishes, making it the perfect choice for quick and easy weeknight meals.

Hearty and Satisfying Yet Light

Indulge in the satisfying heartiness of Italian Wedding Soup, a soup that manages to be both filling and light at the same time, offering a comforting meal without feeling heavy. The combination of lean meatballs, nutritious greens, and a flavorful broth creates a balanced and satisfying dish that is perfect for lunch or dinner. Savor a soup that is both wholesome and delicious, offering a truly satisfying and guilt-free culinary experience.

Versatile and Adaptable to Your Taste

Discover the customizable nature of Italian Wedding Soup, a recipe that easily adapts to your personal preferences and ingredient availability. Adjust the type of greens, pasta, or meatballs to your liking, and experiment with different herbs and seasonings to create a soup that is uniquely yours. Enjoy the flexibility to personalize this recipe and create a signature soup that reflects your individual taste preferences, offering endless possibilities for flavour variations and creative touches.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers

Embrace the make-ahead convenience of Italian Wedding Soup, a dish that tastes even better the next day and is perfect for meal prepping and packed lunches. Prepare a large pot of soup on the weekend and enjoy flavorful and satisfying lunches or dinners throughout the week, simplifying your meal planning and ensuring you always have a delicious option on hand. Enjoy the practicality of having a ready-made meal that is perfect for reheating and enjoying whenever you need a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Classic Italian Comfort Food

Savor the timeless appeal of Italian Wedding Soup, a dish that embodies the essence of Italian comfort food, offering a warm and familiar taste that evokes feelings of home and tradition. This soup is a beloved classic for a reason, with its simple yet elegant flavors and comforting nature making it a perennial favorite for generations. Enjoy a taste of Italian culinary heritage in every spoonful, offering a truly comforting and nostalgic culinary experience.

Ingredients

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For the Savory and Tender Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken, or beef, or lamb. Ground meat forms the base of the small, flavorful meatballs that are a signature element of Italian Wedding Soup. Ground chicken, beef, or lamb can be used depending on preference. Lean ground meat is recommended to avoid excess grease. Ensure to use halal certified meat.
• ½ cup breadcrumbs, plain, dried. Breadcrumbs act as a binder in the meatballs, helping to hold their shape and absorb moisture, resulting in tender and cohesive meatballs. Plain, dried breadcrumbs are recommended for their neutral flavour and effective binding properties.
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated. Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty, and umami-rich taste to the meatballs, enhancing their savory flavour and contributing to their overall Italian character. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is preferred for its superior flavour.
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten. Egg acts as a binder in the meatballs, helping to hold their shape and adding richness and moisture. A lightly beaten egg ensures even distribution throughout the meatball mixture.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced finely. Garlic is essential for flavour, providing a pungent and aromatic base that infuses the meatballs with savory goodness. Freshly minced garlic is crucial for the best flavour. Mince finely to release its aroma and flavour fully.
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped finely. Fresh parsley adds a pop of colour and a fresh, herbaceous note to the meatballs, enhancing their flavour and visual appeal. Fresh parsley provides a bright and fresh flavour contrast to the richness of the meat.
• ½ teaspoon salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt is essential for seasoning the meatballs, enhancing all the flavours and preventing a bland taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning. Adjust to taste.
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground. Black pepper adds a touch of subtle spice and complexity, complementing the other seasonings and enhancing the overall flavour profile. Freshly ground black pepper is preferred for its more robust flavour.

For the Rich and Flavorful Soup Broth

• 8 cups chicken broth, low sodium. Chicken broth is the liquid base of the soup, adding moisture and flavour and creating a light and savory broth. Low sodium chicken broth allows for better control over the overall salt level.
• 1 large onion, yellow or white, diced. Onion forms the aromatic base for the soup broth, adding a savory sweetness and depth of flavour to the dish. Diced onion cooks down evenly and releases its flavour into the broth.
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced. Carrots add a touch of sweetness and color to the soup, contributing to its flavour complexity and visual appeal. Diced carrots cook down nicely in the soup.
• 2 celery stalks, diced. Celery adds a subtle savory and vegetal note to the soup broth, contributing to its flavour complexity and aromatic base. Diced celery cooks down evenly in the soup.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced finely. Garlic in the broth further enhances the savory flavour profile of the soup, complementing the meatballs and vegetables and adding a pungent aroma. Freshly minced garlic is crucial for the best flavour. Mince finely to release its aroma and flavour fully.
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Dried oregano adds a classic Italian herb flavour to the soup broth, complementing the meatballs and vegetables and adding a warm, savory note. Dried oregano provides a convenient and potent herb flavour.
• ½ teaspoon dried basil. Dried basil adds another layer of Italian herb flavour to the soup, complementing the oregano and other seasonings and adding a slightly sweet and aromatic note. Dried basil provides a convenient and potent herb flavour.
• ½ teaspoon salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt is essential for seasoning the soup broth, enhancing all the flavours and preventing a bland taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning. Adjust to taste.
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground. Black pepper adds a touch of subtle spice and complexity to the soup broth, complementing the other seasonings and enhancing the overall flavour profile. Freshly ground black pepper is preferred for its more robust flavour.

For the Tender Greens and Delicate Pasta

• 5 ounces baby spinach, or escarole, or kale, roughly chopped. Baby spinach, escarole, or kale provide the signature greens in Italian Wedding Soup, adding nutrients, color, and a slightly bitter and vegetal note that balances the richness of the broth and meatballs. Baby spinach is a milder option, while escarole and kale offer more robust flavours. Roughly chopped greens ensure even cooking in the soup.
• ½ cup small pasta, acini de pepe, or ditalini, or orzo. Small pasta shapes like acini de pepe, ditalini, or orzo are traditionally used in Italian Wedding Soup, adding a delicate texture and carbohydrate element to the soup. Small pasta cooks quickly in the broth.

How to Make Italian Wedding Soup ?

Step 1: Prepare the Tiny Meatballs

In a medium bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese (¼ cup), egg, minced garlic (for meatballs), parsley, salt (for meatballs), and black pepper (for meatballs). Combine all meatball ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.

Use your hands to gently mix all ingredients until just combined. Gently mix ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in tough meatballs.

Do not overmix. Overmixing can lead to dense and dry meatballs. Mix just until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Roll meat mixture into very small meatballs, about ½ inch in diameter. Roll meat mixture into very small meatballs, approximately ½ inch in diameter, ensuring they are bite-sized and cook quickly in the soup. Small meatballs are traditional for Italian Wedding Soup.

Step 2: Brown Meatballs (Optional but Recommended)

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven until shimmering and ready for browning meatballs.

Brown meatballs in batches until lightly browned on all sides. Brown meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot and ensure even browning. Browning adds flavour and texture to the meatballs. Browning is optional but enhances flavour.

Remove browned meatballs from pot and set aside. Remove browned meatballs from pot and set aside while preparing the soup broth.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables for Broth

In the same pot, add diced onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, releasing their aroma and sweetness.

Add minced garlic (for broth) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Add minced garlic to the pot and cook briefly until fragrant, being careful not to burn, which can make it bitter.

Step 4: Simmer the Soup

Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Pour chicken broth into the pot, deglazing the pan and incorporating flavorful browned bits into the soup.

Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt (for broth), and black pepper (for broth). Add all remaining broth seasonings to the pot.

Bring to a simmer. Bring the soup broth to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Add browned meatballs (or raw meatballs) to the simmering broth. Add browned meatballs (or raw meatballs if skipping browning step) to the simmering broth.

Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and vegetables are tender. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and vegetables are tender. Simmering allows meatballs to cook through and flavours to meld.

Step 5: Add Greens and Pasta

Add pasta to the soup and cook according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Add pasta to the simmering soup and cook until al dente or according to package directions, ensuring it is cooked but not mushy. Pasta cooks quickly in the hot broth.

Stir in baby spinach (or other greens) and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in baby spinach (or other greens) and cook until wilted and tender, adding them towards the end of cooking to retain their vibrant colour and nutrients. Greens wilt quickly in the hot soup.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve Italian Wedding Soup hot. Serve hot for the best flavour and comforting warmth.

Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese for added cheesy flavour and visual appeal, if desired.

Enjoy each savory, comforting, and flavorful spoonful.

Tips for Variations

Spicy Red Pepper Flake Heat

Add red pepper flakes to the soup broth for a touch of heat. Red pepper flakes add a subtle spicy kick to the soup, adjusting to your preferred spice level.

Lemon Juice Brightness Zing

Add a squeeze of lemon juice, freshly squeezed, to each bowl of soup before serving for a brighter and more vibrant flavour. Lemon juice adds a citrusy freshness that brightens the overall flavour profile.

Different Greens Variety

Use different types of greens like escarole, kale, or Swiss chard instead of spinach for a different flavour and texture. Escarole, kale, and Swiss chard offer different flavour profiles and textures compared to spinach, providing variety.

Chicken Sausage Meatball Flavor Boost

Use Italian chicken sausage, casings removed, instead of ground meat for the meatballs for a more intensely flavored meatball. Italian chicken sausage adds a bolder and more seasoned flavour to the meatballs.

Orzo Pasta Heartier Texture

Use orzo pasta instead of acini de pepe or ditalini for a slightly heartier pasta texture in the soup. Orzo pasta provides a slightly larger and more substantial pasta element in the soup.

Serving Suggestions

Crusty Bread for Dipping Classic Side

Serve Italian Wedding Soup with crusty Italian bread or baguette slices for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth. Crusty bread is perfect for mopping up the flavorful broth and adding a comforting carbohydrate side.

Side Salad with Italian Vinaigrette Freshness

Accompany Italian Wedding Soup with a crisp side salad with a light Italian vinaigrette dressing for a refreshing and balanced meal. Side salad provides a light and fresh counterpoint to the warm and hearty soup.

Garlic Breadsticks Cheesy Companion

Pair Italian Wedding Soup with warm garlic breadsticks or cheesy bread for a comforting and flavourful carbohydrate side dish. Garlic breadsticks offer a cheesy and garlicky side that complements the soup beautifully.

Parmesan Crisps Crunchy Garnish

Top bowls of Italian Wedding Soup with homemade Parmesan crisps for a crunchy and cheesy garnish. Parmesan crisps add a textural contrast and extra cheesy flavour to the soup.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Comfort Food Duo

Serve Italian Wedding Soup alongside mini grilled cheese sandwiches for a classic comfort food pairing that is perfect for a cozy meal. Grilled cheese sandwiches offer a comforting and cheesy side that pairs perfectly with soup.

FAQ

Can I make Italian Wedding Soup vegetarian?

To make Italian Wedding Soup vegetarian, omit the meatballs and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add more vegetables like cannellini beans or mushrooms for heartiness. Vegetarian version will be lighter but still flavorful.

How do I make the meatballs extra tender?

To ensure tender meatballs, do not overmix the meatball mixture and use breadcrumbs and egg as binders. Gently roll the meatballs and avoid overcooking them in the soup. Gentle mixing and avoiding overcooking are key to tender meatballs.

Can I add more vegetables to Italian Wedding Soup?

Yes, you can add other vegetables like zucchini, diced tomatoes, or fennel to Italian Wedding Soup. Adding more vegetables will increase the nutritional value and flavour complexity of the soup.

How long does Italian Wedding Soup stay fresh?

Leftover Italian Wedding Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. Reheat leftovers gently to maintain the texture of the pasta and meatballs.

Can I freeze Italian Wedding Soup?

Italian Wedding Soup can be frozen, but the pasta may become softer upon thawing. Freeze soup without pasta for best results, and add freshly cooked pasta when reheating. Freezing without pasta helps maintain pasta texture.

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