Italian Wedding Soup
Time needed: 55 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Introduction
One of the best ways to bring warmness and nourishment to your dining table is by serving a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup. Enriched with tender meatballs, fresh greens and a savory broth, this soup is perfect for any casual get-together or a snuggly dinner.
Why Make This Recipe
Italian Wedding Soup is the perfect blend of taste and health. The hearty meatballs add substance, the crisp veggies give it a fresh touch, and the rich broth provides depth of flavor. Plus, it’s versatile – you can easily tweak the recipe to taste by adding your favorite herbs or spices.
How to Make Italian Wedding Soup
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
– 1/2 pound ground beef
– 1/2 pound ground pork
– 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 1 large egg
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the Soup:
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 small onion, chopped
– 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
– 2 stalks celery, sliced
– 10 cups chicken broth
– 1 cup acini di pepe or small pasta
– 3 cups baby spinach or escarole
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Directions
1. To make the meatballs, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Form small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
2. For the soup, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft (about 5 minutes).
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a boil.
4. Drop the meatballs into the boiling broth, reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in the pasta and keep simmering until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
6. Add spinach or escarole, season with salt and pepper, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the greens wilt.
How to Serve Italian Wedding Soup
Serve the soup hot, ladled into bowls and sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy the soup with a side of crusty bread.
How to Store Italian Wedding Soup
The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Tips to Make Italian Wedding Soup
For a lighter, healthier soup, you can substitute the beef with ground turkey or chicken.
Variation (if any)
For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen spinach in this soup?
Yes, frozen spinach can be used in place of fresh spinach.
2. Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! The soup will keep in the fridge for up to a few days and flavors will blend together more.
3. How can I make the meatballs more flavorful?
Try adding more garlic, parsley or even some Italian seasoning.