Italian Wedding Soup That Will Delight Your Guests
Italian Wedding Soup is a heartwarming dish that combines tender meatballs, vibrant greens, and delicate acini di pepe pasta in a savory chicken broth. This classic Italian recipe is perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, delivering a delightful blend of flavors and comforting warmth. Easy to prepare yet impressive enough for special occasions, this soup will leave your guests asking for seconds.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ lb Italian sausage (spicy or sweet)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or kale)
- 1 cup acini di pepe pasta
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a baking sheet.
- In a large pot over medium heat, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant (about 3 minutes).
- Add chicken broth and bay leaves to the pot; bring to a simmer. Then add spinach (or kale) and allow it to wilt.
- Gently add meatballs to the simmering broth and cook for approximately 15 minutes until fully cooked.
- Stir in acini di pepe pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: - For a lighter version, substitute turkey or chicken sausage. - Feel free to add more vegetables like carrots or zucchini for added nutrition. - Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days; reheat on low heat with additional broth as needed.