Italian Wedding Soup Pasta

Italian Wedding Soup Pasta is a comforting dish, packed full of juicy pasta, tasty meatballs, vegetables, and a delicious soup. This dish is based on traditional Italian Wedding Soup; however, this recipe really does hit the spot with its perfect combo of ingredients. This is the perfect recipe to cook for a family meal or on a cold evening.

The best thing about this recipe is that it’s full of flavour! The meatballs provide a rich taste, while the vegetables give a fresh touch. Plus, the small pasta gives a filling texture to every spoonful. This is an easy recipe to make using simple ingredients.

What is Italian Wedding Soup Pasta?

Traditional Italian Wedding Soup is a popular Italian-American dish made with small meatballs, leafy green vegetables, miniature pasta, and chicken stock. Despite the name, this soup is not traditionally eaten at weddings. The name refers to the meat and vegetable combo that pairs perfectly together.

Italian Wedding Soup Pasta is based on this recipe. The pasta plays a key role in this dish and can be served as a traditional soup or adapted to be a thicker, more filling meal.

Common Ingredients Include:

• Small pasta – acini di pepe, orzo, or ditalini
• Ground beef, pork, or turkey – to make meatballs
• Chicken stock or broth
• Fresh spinach or escarole
• Carrot, celery, and onion
• Garlic and Italian seasoning
• Parmesan cheese

Ingredients Required

This recipe uses simple ingredients that won’t break the bank. You’ll be able to easily find most ingredients from your local supermarket.

Meatballs:

• 250g Ground Beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• ¼ cup Breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Egg (small)
• 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Soup:

• 1 cup Small pasta
• 6 cups Chicken Stock
• 1 Medium Carrot (diced)
• 1 Celery Stalk (chopped)
• 1 Small Onion (diced)
• 2 cups Fresh Spinach
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• Parmesan Cheese

You can adapt the amounts to suit your taste and the number of people you’re cooking for.

How to Make Italian Wedding Soup Pasta

This recipe is easy to make. Just ensure that you cook your meatballs and add the pasta at the correct time.

1. Make Meatballs: Put the ground meat, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix. Form into small meatballs (around 1 inch). This will help them cook evenly.
2. Cook Vegetables: In a large pan, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for around 5 minutes. If you wish, add the minced garlic and cook for a short period.
3. Add Stock and Meatballs: Add the chicken stock to the pan and bring to a gentle simmer. Carefully add the meatballs. Lower the heat and allow to simmer until the meatballs have cooked through. Cooking time will depend on the size of your meatballs. Ensure they have reached a safe temperature.
4. Cook Pasta: Add the small pasta to the pan with the stock and cook according to the packet instructions. Give it a stir occasionally. Don’t overcook the pasta.
5. Add Spinach: Add the spinach and allow to cook for the last few minutes. Let the spinach wilt. Taste and season if needed. Serve hot topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Best Pasta to Use

Using the right pasta will really make a difference. Using small pasta is best as it works well with the meatballs and vegetables.

Some good options include:

• Acini di pepe – Small round pasta traditionally used in Italian Wedding Soups.
• Orzo – Rice-shaped pasta which creates a smooth texture.
• Ditalini – Small tube-shaped pasta which won’t go soggy.
• Small Shells – A great option to use if you can’t find traditional Italian soup pasta.

If you can’t find traditional Italian soup pasta, then use any small pasta you have.

Top Tips

Here are some top tips to get the best out of your soup!

• Use small meatballs – They will cook more evenly.
• Use good quality stock – Using good chicken stock will give a richer, tastier flavour.
• Don’t overcook pasta – Cook until al dente.
• Add the green vegetables at the end – The spinach cooks quickly, so it will keep it looking fresh.
• Top with Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan will give a tasty savoury flavour.

You can also add a little lemon juice to give extra freshness.

Leftovers

Allow the soup to cool down, then put it into an airtight container. Store in the fridge and eat within 3-4 days. To reheat, gently heat on the stove or in the microwave. If the pasta has soaked up too much liquid, add a little extra chicken stock. If possible, cook the pasta separately and store in the fridge. This will give you better results. You can also cook the meatballs and stock separately and freeze.

Conclusion

Overall, Italian Wedding Soup Pasta is a great recipe to cook if you want a warm, flavoursome, and satisfying homemade meal. This recipe has soft meatballs, healthy vegetables, small pasta, and savoury stock. This recipe is easy to adapt whether you want to cook it as a traditional soup or play around with different pasta and vegetables. Serve with crusty bread and freshly grated Parmesan for a comforting meal that the whole family will love.