Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting, classic soup with tender meatballs, a hearty broth, fresh vegetables, and delicate pasta. The name originates not from weddings but from the “marriage” of ingredients, as the blend of meat, greens, and pasta creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. This soup is perfect for chilly days and makes a satisfying, warming meal when served with crusty bread or a light salad.

Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 8 oz lean ground beef
- 8 oz lean ground pork
- ½ cup fresh bread crumbs (see tips)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Soup
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp dried dill
- ½ cup dry white wine (or additional chicken broth)
- 9 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup acini di pepe (or other small pasta like ditalini or orzo)
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach, chopped
- Shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, pork, bread crumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, salt, oregano, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into small, 1-inch meatballs.
- Brown the Meatballs
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook for about 3 minutes per side, turning to brown evenly. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- Start the Soup Base
- Reduce the heat to medium. In the same pot, add the onions, carrots, and celery (add more oil if needed) and cook for about 6 minutes until softened. Add garlic, cooking briefly until fragrant. Season with black pepper and dill.
- Deglaze and Simmer
- Pour in the white wine and scrape the browned bits from the pot’s bottom for added flavor. Stir in the chicken broth, then bring to a boil.
- Add Pasta and Meatballs
- Add the pasta and browned meatballs to the pot. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Finish with Spinach
- In the last minute, add the spinach and let it wilt. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with shredded Parmesan. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Italian Wedding Soup
- Breadcrumbs: Fresh bread crumbs create a tender texture. To make your own, pulse stale bread in a food processor until finely crumbled.
- Meatball Size: Smaller meatballs ensure quicker cooking and are perfect for spoonful-sized bites.
- Deglazing: Don’t skip the deglazing step! It adds depth by incorporating flavorful bits into the soup.
- Storage: If you anticipate leftovers, cook the pasta separately and add it to each serving. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much broth over time.
This Italian Wedding Soup offers a delicious and satisfying blend of textures and flavors, perfect for a cozy meal at home.
Italian Wedding Soup
6
servings20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
For the Meatballs
8 oz lean ground beef
8 oz lean ground pork
½ cup fresh bread crumbs (see tips)
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 large egg
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
For the Soup
1 medium yellow onion, minced
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp dried dill
½ cup dry white wine (or additional chicken broth)
9 cups chicken broth
1 cup acini di pepe (or other small pasta like ditalini or orzo)
5 oz fresh baby spinach, chopped
Shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving
Directions
- Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting, classic soup with tender meatballs, a hearty broth, fresh vegetables, and delicate pasta. The name originates not from weddings but from the “marriage” of ingredients, as the blend of meat, greens, and pasta creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. This soup is perfect for chilly days and makes a satisfying, warming meal when served with crusty bread or a light salad.
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