This Italian Wedding Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that combines tender homemade meatballs, tiny pasta, fresh spinach, and a savory broth. With a perfect balance of flavors, it’s the ultimate cozy meal for cold nights, family dinners, or meal prep. This recipe brings classic Italian comfort food right to your table in less than an hour.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hearty and satisfying with tender meatballs and flavorful broth
- Packed with vegetables, pasta, and fresh spinach for a well-rounded meal
- Perfect for family dinners or special occasions
- Makes great leftovers—ideal for meal prep
- Easy to make in under an hour
- Full of Italian flavor that’s sure to please everyone
- A comforting bowl of soup to warm you up on chilly nights
- Customizable with your favorite vegetables or pasta
- Ideal for serving with crusty bread and extra Parmesan
- Great for feeding a crowd with 6 hearty servings
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Meatballs:
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 egg
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup acini di pepe or other small pasta
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Extra Parmesan, for serving
Directions
- Make the Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.
- Prepare the Soup: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add the baked meatballs to the soup and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1–2 more minutes, just until the spinach is wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Calories per Serving: 365 kcal
Variations
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add additional vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or green beans to make the soup heartier.
- Different Meat: Substitute the beef and pork for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version of the meatballs.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the meatballs and substitute the pasta with gluten-free acini di pepe or other small pasta.
- Cheese Options: You can experiment with other cheeses, such as Pecorino Romano, in place of Parmesan for a slightly different flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the soup for a subtle heat if you like a bit of spice.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the soup without the pasta, and add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken instead of beef and pork?
Yes, ground chicken works well in the meatballs and can be used as a lighter alternative.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
While acini di pepe is traditional, you can substitute with any small pasta like orzo, ditalini, or even orzo for a similar texture.
How do I prevent the noodles from getting soggy?
To avoid mushy noodles, cook the pasta separately and add it to the soup just before serving, especially if you plan to have leftovers.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make the soup in a slow cooker. Brown the meatballs and sauté the vegetables on the stove first, then add them to the slow cooker with the chicken broth and cook on low for 4–6 hours.
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, the meatballs can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months before adding to the soup.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, it freezes well, but it’s best to freeze it without the pasta. Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.
Can I use store-bought broth instead of homemade?
Yes, store-bought chicken broth works perfectly for this recipe. Just be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
What can I serve with this soup?
Serve this hearty soup with a side of crusty bread, garlic bread, or a light salad for a well-rounded meal.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the meatballs with plant-based meatballs or omit them for a vegetarian-friendly version. You can also add more vegetables for extra flavor.
How do I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?
Make sure to handle the meatball mixture gently and avoid overmixing. Baking the meatballs helps them hold their shape while cooking in the soup.
Conclusion
Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting and wholesome dish that brings together tender homemade meatballs, tiny pasta, and a savory broth, making it the perfect meal for family dinners or chilly nights. With its rich flavors and easy preparation, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to warm your heart and satisfy your appetite. Enjoy this classic Italian soup as a delicious, feel-good meal any time of the year!
Print
Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs & Pasta
- Total Time: 50 minutes50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting classic, featuring tender meatballs, tiny pasta, and fresh spinach in a savory chicken broth. A cozy, hearty dish full of Italian flavors, it’s perfect for family dinners, cold nights, or meal prep. With homemade meatballs and a flavorful broth, it’s a warm bowl of goodness everyone will love.
Ingredients
-
For the Meatballs:
-
1/2 lb ground beef
-
1/2 lb ground pork
-
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
-
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
-
2 tbsp milk
-
1 egg
-
1 garlic clove, minced
-
1 tbsp chopped parsley
-
Salt & pepper to taste
-
-
For the Soup:
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 small onion, diced
-
2 carrots, diced
-
2 celery stalks, diced
-
3 garlic cloves, minced
-
8 cups chicken broth
-
3/4 cup acini di pepe or other small pasta
-
3 cups fresh spinach
-
Salt & pepper to taste
-
Extra Parmesan, for serving
-
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
In a bowl, mix all meatball ingredients until well combined. Roll the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes, or until they are browned and fully cooked through.
-
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, and sauté for 5–7 minutes, until softened.
-
Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions.
-
Once the pasta is cooked, add the baked meatballs to the pot and let it simmer for 5 minutes to heat through.
-
Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for another 1–2 minutes, just until the spinach wilts.
-
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Serve hot with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
-
For added depth of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup base for a subtle heat.
-
You can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a day before assembling the soup.
-
This soup freezes well! You can store the soup without the spinach and pasta and add them when reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Comfort Food
- Method: Baked, Simmered
- Cuisine: Italian
