Description
A classic Italian Wedding Soup featuring tender homemade meatballs, fresh vegetables, and spinach in a savory chicken broth, served with delicate acini de pepe pasta. This comforting stovetop soup is perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 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
Soup Base
- 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
Additional Ingredients
- ¾ cup acini de pepe pasta (uncooked)
- 4–5 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare meatballs: Gently combine ground beef, ground pork, beaten egg, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper without overworking the mixture. Roll into ¾-inch diameter meatballs.
- Brown meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs in batches for about 2 minutes each, just enough to get a crust. The meatballs will finish cooking in the soup. Remove browned meatballs and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes until softened. Add a splash of olive oil if necessary to prevent sticking.
- Add aromatics: Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Add chicken broth: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer with meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the pot. Let the soup simmer gently while you cook the pasta separately.
- Cook pasta: Boil acini de pepe pasta in a separate pot until al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain well. Cooking pasta separately helps prevent it from absorbing too much broth during storage.
- Add pasta to serving bowls: Place cooked pasta into individual serving bowls.
- Wilt spinach: Stir fresh spinach into the simmering soup and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup over the pasta in bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can adapt this recipe for slow cooker or Instant Pot methods; however, the stovetop method offers optimal texture for meatballs and pasta.
- Cooking pasta separately prevents it from soaking up broth, ensuring better texture for leftovers.
- If you plan to serve immediately and have no leftovers, you may cook pasta directly in the soup.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, meatball soup, chicken broth soup, spinach soup, acini de pepe, comfort food, Italian soup recipe
