Italian Wedding Soup
User Reviews
4.5
Italian Wedding Soup
Description
The meatballs are crafted from a mix of Italian sausage and ground beef seasoned with Italian herbs, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs, then browned in batches for a flavorful crust. The soup base is prepared in the same pot using the drippings, sautéed diced onion and carrots, and minced garlic. Chicken broth and water combine with the browned meatballs and pasta to create a rich, savory broth infused with the vegetables and meat flavors.
Small pasta shapes, traditionally acini de pepe, absorb some broth as they cook and thicken the soup, while fresh spinach is added near the end for a touch of green and freshness. The soup is filling yet balances textures from the tender meatballs, softened vegetables, and soft pasta.
When stored, it's common for the pasta to soak up broth; reheating with added water restores the soup's consistency without diluting flavor. Small pasta varieties such as orzo, pastina, stellini, or ditalini can be used interchangeably depending on preference or availability.
Ingredients
For The Meatballs
- ½ pound Italian sausage
- ½ pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup bread crumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 large egg
For The Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 medium white onion diced
- 1 large carrot about 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 64 ounces chicken broth low sodium
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup acini de pepe pasta small, round shaped pasta
- 2 cups spinach chopped
Instructions
For The Meatballs
- In a large bowl place the sausage, beef, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon of pepper, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and an egg.
- Mix meat with hands until just mixed. Scoop into 1 tablespoon meatballs, about 28-30 meatballs. Keep these scoops on the smaller side and gently roll each meatball smooth with a quick roll with your hands.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large pot and warm over medium high heat. Add half the meatballs and brown. Turn the meatballs regularly, about 4 minutes per batch. Place meatballs on paper towel lined plate after browning. Repeat browning with the second half of the meatballs in the pot.
For The Soup
- Place the diced onion and diced carrot in the same pot. Cook in the meatball drippings for about three minutes over medium heat to soften the vegetables. Add garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour broth and one cup of water into the pot. Turn up the heat to medium high and bring the soup to a roiling boil. Once boiling, turn down the heat until the soup is at a simmer.
- Add meatballs and adjust the heat up so the pot continues to simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, some of the meatballs will begin to come to the surface.
- Pour pasta in the pot and cook at a simmer for 9-10 minutes until the pasta is soft. You can turn the heat down to medium-low until ready to serve.
- Place chopped spinach to the pot right before serving, and cook until wilted about one minute. Then serve and enjoy.
Notes
- When reheating leftovers, add water to adjust broth thickness due to pasta absorbing liquid.
- Acini de pepe is the traditional small pasta, but can be swapped with orzo, pastina, stellini, or ditalini.
- In a pinch, finely chopped spaghetti can substitute for small pasta shapes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 301 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 301kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 618mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 453mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 2275IU | 46% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 91mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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