🍲🇮🇹 Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting soup made with tender homemade meatballs, leafy greens, vegetables, and tiny pasta simmered in a flavorful broth. Despite its name, it isn’t traditionally served at weddings—the name comes from the Italian phrase minestra maritata (“married soup”), referring to the perfect pairing of meat and greens.

Prep Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Cook: 30 minutes
• Total: About 50 minutes

Servings: 6

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Ingredients

Mini Meatballs

• 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef, pork, or a mixture
• ½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Soup

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup acini di pepe or orzo pasta
• 4 cups baby spinach (or chopped escarole)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Make the Meatballs

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix gently until just combined.
3. Roll into small meatballs, about ¾ inch (2 cm) in diameter.

2. Brown the Meatballs (Optional)

• For extra flavor, lightly brown the meatballs in a skillet for 4–5 minutes.
• Alternatively, you can cook them directly in the soup.

3. Prepare the Soup

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery for 5–7 minutes until softened.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil.

4. Cook

1. Add the meatballs and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the pasta and cook until tender (about 8–10 minutes, depending on the pasta).
3. Add the spinach during the last 2 minutes of cooking, just until wilted.

5. Serve

Ladle into bowls and top with:

• Grated Parmesan
• Fresh parsley
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Variations

🦃 Turkey Wedding Soup

Use lean ground turkey instead of beef or pork.

🌿 Extra Vegetable Version

Add:

• Zucchini
• Green beans
• Peas

🍋 Lemon Wedding Soup

Stir in:

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Extra parsley before serving

🌶 Spicy Italian Version

Add:

• A pinch of red pepper flakes to the broth

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Storage

• Refrigerator: Up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the soup without the pasta for up to 3 months. Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating for the best texture.

Tips for the Best Italian Wedding Soup

• Make small, evenly sized meatballs so they cook quickly and stay tender.
• Mix the meatball ingredients gently to avoid dense meatballs.
• If making the soup ahead, cook the pasta separately and add it when serving to keep it from becoming too soft.
• Freshly grated Parmesan adds the best flavor and melts beautifully into the broth. 🍲🧀