Name: Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ lb. ground beef (85% lean); ½ lb. ground pork; 1 egg (beaten); ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs; ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 3 cloves garlic (minced); ⅓ cup fresh parsley (finely chopped); ¾ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 1 yellow onion (diced); 1 ¼ cups carrots (diced); 2 celery ribs (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 8 cups chicken broth; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; ¾ cup acini de pepe pasta (uncooked); 4-5 cups fresh spinach; Salt and pepper (to taste); Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, for garnish)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ lb. ground beef (85% lean)

½ lb. ground pork

1 egg (beaten)

½ cup Italian breadcrumbs

¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

⅓ cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)

¾ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 yellow onion (diced)

1 ¼ cups carrots (diced)

2 celery ribs (diced)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

8 cups chicken broth

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

¾ cup acini de pepe pasta (uncooked)

4–5 cups fresh spinach

Salt and pepper to taste

Parmesan cheese (freshly grated for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, gently combine ground beef, ground pork, beaten egg, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Avoid overworking the mixture and roll into ¾-inch meatballs.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for about 2 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove meatballs and set aside; they will finish cooking in the soup.

Step 3: In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes until softened, adding a splash of olive oil if needed.

Step 4: Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the vegetables and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer.

Step 6: Add the browned meatballs to the simmering broth. Simmer gently while you cook the pasta separately in boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta once cooked.

Step 7: Add the cooked pasta to serving bowls rather than the soup pot to prevent the pasta from absorbing too much broth during storage. Alternatively, if you do not expect leftovers, you may add the pasta directly to the soup.

Step 8: Stir fresh spinach into the hot soup and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 9: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For more flavor, use homemade chicken broth or add a splash of white wine in step 5.

Substitute ground turkey for a lighter meatball option.

Use kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach for a heartier green.

Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the broth for a subtle heat.

If making ahead, store pasta separately and add just before serving to maintain texture.

FAQs

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes, you can brown the meatballs on the stove and then transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker or Instant Pot. For the slow cooker, cook on low for 4-6 hours. For the Instant Pot, use the soup setting or pressure cook for about 15 minutes. Add pasta just before serving.

What type of pasta works best in Italian Wedding Soup?

Acini de pepe is traditional because its small size complements the broth and meatballs well. You can also use other small pasta shapes like orzo or pastina.