The short answer: Italian wedding soup is a light chicken broth soup filled with tiny meatballs, spinach or escarole, carrots and small pasta like acini di pepe or orzo. Roll the mini meatballs, simmer them in broth with the vegetables for about 15 minutes, then add the pasta and greens. It takes about 45 minutes and serves 6.
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Prep time: 10 minCook time: 29 minTotal time: 39 minServings: 6 servings
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I love cooking soups that feel special without much fuss, and this one always looks like more work than it is.
Ingredients for the meatballs
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground beef, pork, or a mix | 1 pound |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Plain breadcrumbs | ⅓ cup |
| Grated Parmesan | ⅓ cup |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt and pepper | ½ teaspoon each |
Ingredients for the soup
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Onion, diced | 1 small |
| Carrots, diced | 2 |
| Celery, diced | 2 stalks |
| Chicken broth | 8 cups |
| Acini di pepe or orzo | ¾ cup |
| Baby spinach or chopped escarole | 4 cups |
| Parmesan rind | 1, optional |
How to make Italian wedding soup
- Mix the meatballs. Combine the meatball ingredients gently. Roll into ¾-inch balls, about 40 to 50.
- Cook the vegetables. Warm the oil in a large pot. Cook the onion, carrots and celery 5 minutes.
- Add the broth. Pour in the broth, add the Parmesan rind and bring to a boil.
- Cook the meatballs. Lower to a simmer and drop in the meatballs. Simmer 12 to 15 minutes.
- Check doneness. Ground beef and pork meatballs should reach 160°F, per the FoodSafety.gov temperature chart. Chicken or turkey meatballs need 165°F.
- Add the pasta. Cook 7 to 9 minutes, or cook it separately if you plan on leftovers.
- Wilt the greens. Stir in the spinach for 1 minute, or escarole for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Season and serve with more Parmesan.
Shortcuts and variations
| Version | What changes |
|---|---|
| Frozen meatball shortcut | Use 1 pound small frozen Italian meatballs |
| Chicken or turkey | Use ground poultry and cook to 165°F |
| Kale version | Use chopped kale and simmer 5 minutes |
| Slow cooker | Cook broth, vegetables and meatballs on low 6 hours, add pasta last |
| Gluten-free | Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and rice instead of pasta |
| Egg ribbons | Drizzle in 2 beaten eggs with Parmesan at the end |
Which pasta and greens to choose
| Choice | Cook time | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Acini di pepe | 7 to 9 minutes | Tiny beads, the most traditional look |
| Orzo | 8 to 10 minutes | Easy to find in most stores |
| Ditalini | 9 to 11 minutes | Short tubes that hold broth |
| Spinach | 1 minute | Mild and quick to wilt |
| Escarole | 3 to 4 minutes | Slightly bitter, classic Italian flavor |
| Kale | 5 minutes | Hearty, holds up in leftovers |
Tips for the best Italian wedding soup
- Keep the meatballs small. Tiny meatballs cook fast and fit on a spoon with the pasta.
- Mix gently. Overworked meat makes tough meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop. It keeps the meatballs the same size so they cook evenly.
- Add a Parmesan rind. It gives the broth a rich, savory flavor.
- Finish with lemon. A squeeze brightens the broth right before serving.
Make ahead, freeze and store
Roll the meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate them on a tray, or freeze them raw on a sheet pan and bag them for up to 3 months. Cooked soup keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. The USDA leftovers guidance recommends refrigerating within 2 hours. To freeze the soup, leave out the pasta, cool it and freeze up to 3 months. Add fresh pasta when you reheat.
Serving it for a holiday or a crowd
Italian wedding soup makes a cozy starter before a holiday dinner or a warm option on a buffet. For 12, double the recipe in a large stockpot and cook the pasta separately so it holds on a warm stove. Serve it with garlic bread and a salad, or make it part of a soup week with our chicken noodle soup, minestrone soup and butternut squash soup. Browse more pots in our soup recipes list, or try Sunday dinner ideas for the weekend. For another broth-and-dumpling bowl, try our matzo ball soup recipe.
Budget tips
A pound of ground meat makes enough meatballs for 6 bowls, so this soup stretches protein further than many dinners. Buy broth and pasta when they're on sale, and use whatever greens are cheapest that week. Track what you spend on groceries with the Budget Planner Printable ($5.99).
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Frequently asked questions
What is Italian wedding soup? Italian wedding soup is a chicken broth soup with small meatballs, leafy greens and tiny pasta. It is light, savory and filling enough for dinner.
Why is it called Italian wedding soup? The name comes from the Italian phrase minestra maritata, often translated as married soup, which refers to how well the meat and greens go together. It is not traditionally a wedding dish.
What pasta is used in Italian wedding soup? Acini di pepe, orzo or ditalini are the usual pastas for Italian wedding soup. Any small pasta that fits on a spoon works.
What greens go in Italian wedding soup? Spinach and escarole are the classic greens in Italian wedding soup. Kale or Swiss chard also work but need a few more minutes to soften.
Can I use frozen meatballs in Italian wedding soup? Yes, small frozen Italian meatballs are a fast shortcut for Italian wedding soup. Simmer them in the broth until heated through, about 10 minutes.
Do I need to brown the meatballs first? No, you can drop raw mini meatballs straight into simmering broth to cook. Browning them first adds flavor but takes more time.
How do I keep the pasta from soaking up all the broth? Cook the pasta separately and add it to each bowl, especially if you expect leftovers. Pasta keeps absorbing broth as the soup sits.
Can I freeze Italian wedding soup? Italian wedding soup freezes best without pasta, for up to 3 months. Freeze the broth, meatballs and vegetables, then add freshly cooked pasta when you reheat.
How long does Italian wedding soup last in the fridge? Italian wedding soup keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking and reheat until steaming.
Can I make Italian wedding soup with chicken meatballs? Yes, ground chicken or turkey makes lighter meatballs for Italian wedding soup. Add a little extra Parmesan and breadcrumbs so they stay moist.
What do you serve with Italian wedding soup? Crusty bread, garlic bread or a simple green salad go well with Italian wedding soup. It is also good as a starter before a holiday dinner.
How can I plan Italian wedding soup into a busy week? Roll and freeze the meatballs on the weekend so the soup comes together in 30 minutes on a weeknight. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. helps you schedule prep and shopping.
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Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov