Description
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup to warm your soul. Tender homemade meatballs, tiny pasta, and fresh greens all simmer together in a delicate chicken broth to create a dish that’s equal parts cozy and elegant. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight yet special enough for company. With every spoonful, you’ll taste the perfect marriage of flavors that has made this soup a beloved classic for generations. Serve it with crusty bread and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a comforting meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork (or sausage)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup acini di pepe (or orzo)
- 4 cups escarole or spinach, chopped
- Extra Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Mix beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Drop in meatballs and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
- Add greens and simmer 2–3 minutes, until wilted.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with Parmesan on top.
Notes
- For best results, cook the pasta separately if planning to store leftovers. For richer flavor, mix beef, pork, and sausage together in the meatballs.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg