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Irresistible Italian Wedding Soup Recipe with Mini Meatballs

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A comforting and hearty Italian wedding soup featuring tender mini meatballs, fresh greens, and a flavorful broth. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 cups chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup small pasta shapes like acini di pepe or orzo
  • 4 cups fresh spinach or escarole, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional garnishes: extra grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil or parsley leaves, crusty Italian bread

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into mini meatballs about 1 inch in diameter and place on a baking sheet or plate.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté until vegetables soften and onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Carefully add mini meatballs to the simmering broth. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Add pasta to the pot and simmer until tender, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir in chopped fresh spinach or escarole and cook for 2-3 minutes until greens wilt but remain vibrant. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra grated Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Keep meatballs small (about 1 inch) for even cooking and tenderness. Avoid overmixing meat to prevent tough meatballs. Skim foam from broth for a clearer soup. Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels. Pasta can be substituted with gluten-free or cauliflower for dietary needs. Meatballs can be prepared ahead and frozen uncooked for up to a month.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian wedding soup, mini meatballs, comfort food, easy soup recipe, homemade soup, quick dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/irresistible-italian-wedding-soup-recipe-with-mini-meatballs-easy-homemade-guide/