Description
Looking for a cozy and satisfying dish that’s simple to make and packed with flavor? Italian Wedding Soup is your perfect answer! This hearty bowl combines tender homemade meatballs, fresh greens like spinach, tiny pasta, and a rich, savory broth—ideal for quick dinners, comfort food cravings, or healthy snack ideas. It’s light, nourishing, and full of that “from-scratch” flavor that feels like a warm hug. Whether you’re after quick dinner ideas, hearty soup recipes, or an easy recipe that impresses, this one is a winner!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
10 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup acini di pepe or Israeli couscous
4 cups fresh spinach or escarole, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix until just combined. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides for about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, add the remaining olive oil. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5–7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in pasta and return meatballs to the pot. Simmer for 10–12 minutes until pasta is al dente and meatballs are cooked.
6. Add spinach or escarole and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
To avoid mushy pasta in leftovers, cook and store pasta separately if meal prepping.
For a lighter version, use ground chicken or turkey in the meatballs.
Escarole or kale can be swapped for spinach if you prefer a more bitter green.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: easy recipe, Italian wedding soup, hearty soup, dinner ideas, quick meal, comfort food