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
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For the Meatballs:
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1/2 lb ground beef
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1/2 lb ground pork
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1/3 cup breadcrumbs
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan
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2 tbsp milk
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1 egg
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1 garlic clove, minced
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1 tbsp chopped parsley
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Salt & pepper to taste
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For the Soup:
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 small onion, diced
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2 carrots, diced
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2 celery stalks, diced
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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8 cups chicken broth
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3/4 cup acini di pepe or other small pasta
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3 cups fresh spinach
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Salt & pepper to taste
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Extra Parmesan, for serving
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Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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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.
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Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes, or until they are browned and fully cooked through.
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In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, and sauté for 5–7 minutes, until softened.
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Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions.
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Once the pasta is cooked, add the baked meatballs to the pot and let it simmer for 5 minutes to heat through.
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Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for another 1–2 minutes, just until the spinach wilts.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve hot with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
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For added depth of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup base for a subtle heat.
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You can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a day before assembling the soup.
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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
