Italian Wedding Soup: Easy, Hearty Homemade Recipe

This hearty Italian Wedding Soup is a great meal to make when craving some comfort food. It contains tender meatballs, leafy greens, small pasta, and a flavourful chicken broth. While this soup is called Italian Wedding Soup, it isn’t traditionally eaten at weddings. The reason it got its name is due to the Italian phrase minestra maritata. This means the marriage of the meat and leafy greens.

This soup is perfect for making either as a quick weeknight meal or for a larger family meal. This soup has a perfect combination of meatballs, vegetables, and light pasta. It can be easily made at home using just a few fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

To get the best results, use fresh ingredients and a well-seasoned broth. You can personalise this recipe to your own tastes.

Meatballs:

• 250g Minced Beef (or Mixed Minced Beef & Pork)
• 1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs
• 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Egg (small)
• 1 Garlic (minced)
• 1 Tbsp Chopped Parsley
• Salt & Black Pepper

Soup:

• 6 Cups Chicken Broth
• 1 Onion (small, finely chopped)
• 2 Carrots (diced)
• 2 Celery Stalks (chopped)
• 1 Cup Small Pasta (e.g., acini di pepe / orzo)
• 3 Cups Chopped Leafy Greens (Spinach or Escarole)
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

This soup can be made at home by following a few easy steps. It is easiest to start by making your meatballs.

Step 1 – Meatballs

Add your minced meat, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix together gently.

Form into small meatballs. They should be around 2-3cm in diameter. Small meatballs will cook faster and are easier to eat as they are smaller.

Step 2 – Cook Vegetables

Add your olive oil to a large pan and turn the heat to medium. Add your onions, carrots, and celery.

Cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the soup to develop a nice flavour.

Step 3 – Add Broth and Meatballs

Add the chicken broth to the pan and bring to a gentle boil. Add your meatballs in carefully.

Turn the heat down and allow to simmer. Cook the meatballs for as long as they need to be cooked through. This will depend on how big they are. Ensure they reach the correct internal temperature (160F / 71C) for any ground beef or pork.

Step 4 – Add Pasta and Leafy Greens

Add your small pasta to the pan and allow to cook. Follow the instructions on the packet. Add your spinach or escarole towards the end and allow to simmer.

Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5 – Serve

Serve into bowls and top with freshly grated parmesan. Serve with some crusty bread.

Top Tips

Follow these tips to get the best results.

• Small meatballs – This will help them cook evenly and are easier to serve.
• Don’t over mix – Gently mix your meatballs so they don’t become too dense.
• Watch your pasta – As the pasta is small, it will soak up the liquid. Be careful not to overcook.
• Season carefully – Taste your broth and if you wish to add more salt, do so carefully. If your stock and parmesan are quite salty, you may not want to add more.
• Fresh leafy greens – Spinach adds a subtle flavour to the soup. Escarole will give it a slightly more traditional taste.

Leftovers

Leave your soup to cool down a little. Then place it into an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours. Eat within 3-4 days.

Reheat your soup thoroughly. If the pasta has soaked up too much of the broth, add a little water or extra stock. You can cook the pasta separately and store it with the broth to make it easier to store.

Final Thoughts

This hearty Italian Wedding Soup is a great meal to make at home. It contains tender meatballs, vegetables, pasta, and savoury broth. It is easy to make, so it is a great option for a regular meal, but the rich flavour makes it appealing for special occasions.

Using fresh ingredients, small meatballs, and adding the leafy greens towards the end will create a lovely soup for the whole family to enjoy. Top with some parmesan and warm bread to create a comforting meal.