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Italian Wedding Soup Recipe Easy Cozy Homemade Comfort in 30 Minutes

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A quick and easy Italian wedding soup featuring tender meatballs, fresh spinach, and tiny pasta pearls in a savory chicken broth, perfect for cozy evenings and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain; gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup acini di pepe or orzo pasta
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently by hand for about 5 minutes.
  2. Roll the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs using a teaspoon to scoop and rolling between palms. Place on a parchment-lined tray. This takes about 10 minutes.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Carefully drop meatballs into the boiling broth one by one. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through. Skim foam off the top as needed.
  6. Stir in acini di pepe or orzo pasta. Cook for 6-8 minutes until pasta is al dente.
  7. Add chopped spinach, stir well, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until greens wilt but remain vibrant. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Ladle hot soup into bowls, sprinkle extra Parmesan if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overwork the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender. Roll meatballs small for even cooking. Skim foam during cooking for a clear broth. Add pasta late to keep it al dente. If soup thickens after resting, add warm broth or water when reheating. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative. Variations include vegetarian meatballs, low-carb with extra greens, and seasonal greens substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian wedding soup, meatball soup, cozy soup, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, comfort food, quick dinner, spinach soup, acini di pepe soup

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/italian-wedding-soup-recipe-easy-cozy-homemade-comfort-in-30-minutes/