Italian wedding soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender meatballs with a hearty broth, vegetables, and pasta. Originating from Italy, this soup is perfect for a cozy family dinner or special occasions. The blend of herbs and parmesan cheese adds a layer of richness that makes it irresistible.
Photos of Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
When preparing this recipe, you might find that some ingredients such as acini di pepe pasta and dry white wine are not commonly stocked in every household. These can typically be found in the pasta and wine aisles of a supermarket. Fresh parsley might also require a trip to the fresh produce section.
Ingredients For Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Ground beef: Adds a rich, meaty flavor to the meatballs.
Ground pork: Provides additional moisture and flavor to the meatballs.
Fresh breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and adds texture.
Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note to the meatballs.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavors of both the meatballs and the soup.
Dried oregano: Adds a slightly bitter, aromatic flavor.
Black pepper: Provides a bit of heat and depth.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the meatballs.
Egg: Helps bind the meatball mixture together.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the meatballs and sautéing the vegetables.
Yellow onion: Adds a sweet and savory base flavor to the soup.
Carrots: Adds sweetness and color to the soup.
Celery: Provides a subtle, earthy flavor and crunch.
Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic quality.
Dried dill: Imparts a slightly tangy and aromatic note.
Dry white wine: Adds depth and enhances the flavors in the soup.
Chicken broth: Acts as the savory base liquid for the soup.
Acini di pepe pasta: Small, round pasta that adds texture.
Baby spinach: Adds a fresh, leafy component to the soup.
Parmesan cheese: Used for garnishing and adding a final burst of flavor.
One reader, Craig Echevarria says:
This Italian wedding soup recipe is fantastic! The meatballs are flavorful and tender, and the broth is rich and comforting. The addition of spinach and acini di pepe pasta makes it hearty and satisfying. Perfect for a cozy dinner!
Key Techniques for Italian Wedding Soup
How to mix meatball ingredients: Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, oregano, black pepper, parmesan cheese, and egg in a large mixing bowl until fully combined. How to shape meatballs: Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. How to brown meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook the meatballs for about 3 minutes per side, turning to brown all over. How to deglaze the pan: Add white wine to the pot and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. How to cook pasta in soup: Add pasta to the boiling chicken broth and cook until tender. How to wilt spinach: Add spinach to the hot soup during the last minute of cooking and let it wilt.
How To Make Italian Wedding Soup
This Italian wedding soup recipe has meatballs made of ground pork and beef and a soup flavored with white wine, chicken broth, and various vegetables.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Meatballs:
- 8ozGround Beef
- 8ozGround Pork
- ½cupfresh breadcrumbs
- 3tbspfresh parsleyminced
- 1tspkosher salt
- ½tspdried oregano
- ½tspblack pepper
- ½cupparmesan cheeseshredded
- 1egg
- 2tbspolive oil
For Soup:
- 1tbspolive oil
- 1yellow onionminced
- 2carrotspeeled and diced
- 2celerydiced
- 3clovesgarlicminced
- ½tspkosher salt
- ¼tspblack pepper
- ¼tspdried dill
- ½cupdry white wine
- 10cupschicken broth
- 1cupdried acini di pepe pasta
- 5ozbaby spinachchopped
- Parmesan cheeseshredded, for serving
Instructions
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Add all meatball ingredients except olive oil to a large mixing bowl.
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Gently mix until fully combined. Shape into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
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Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add about half the meatballs and cook about 3 minutes per side, turning to brown all over. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining meatballs.
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Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same dutch oven and reduce heat to medium-low. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Season with salt, pepper, and dill.
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Add wine and deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
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Add pasta and meatballs to the pot and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through. During the last minute of cooking, add spinach and let it wilt.
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Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and serve hot.
Nutrition
- Calories: 602.86kcal
- Fat: 31.97g
- Saturated Fat: 10.52g
- Trans Fat: 0.45g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 15.50g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.06g
- Carbohydrates: 40.70g
- Fiber: 2.85g
- Sugar: 9.82g
- Protein: 33.17g
- Cholesterol: 101.14mg
- Sodium: 1382.89mg
- Calcium: 246.34mg
- Potassium: 1008.34mg
- Iron: 3.89mg
- Vitamin A: 335.19µg
- Vitamin C: 13.88mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Italian Wedding Soup
When browning the meatballs, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can cause the meatballs to steam rather than brown, which affects their texture and flavor. Cook them in batches to ensure they develop a nice, caramelized crust.
Time-Saving Tips for Italian Wedding Soup
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the onion, carrots, and celery ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-made meatballs: Save time by using store-bought meatballs instead of making them from scratch.
Quick-cook pasta: Opt for quick-cooking pasta varieties to reduce cooking time.
One-pot method: Cook the meatballs and soup in the same pot to minimize cleanup.
Pre-washed spinach: Use pre-washed baby spinach to skip the washing step.
Substitute Ingredients For Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor.
ground pork - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is a lighter alternative and works well in meatballs.
fresh breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar binding effect and a slightly crunchier texture.
fresh parsley - Substitute with dried parsley: Dried parsley can be used in a smaller quantity to provide a similar herbaceous flavor.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar taste.
dried oregano - Substitute with Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning includes oregano and other herbs, adding a more complex flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat without altering the color of the dish.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and tangy flavor.
egg - Substitute with flax egg: A flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) can be used as a binder for a vegan option.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
yellow onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder and slightly sweeter flavor.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture and a slightly sweeter taste.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a similar crunch and a slight anise flavor.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in smaller quantities to provide a similar flavor.
dried dill - Substitute with fresh dill: Fresh dill can be used in a larger quantity to provide a more vibrant flavor.
dry white wine - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth adds depth without the alcohol content.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good option for a vegetarian version.
dried acini di pepe pasta - Substitute with orzo: Orzo has a similar small, rice-like shape and texture.
baby spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a similar leafy green component with a slightly different texture.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor for a dairy-free option.
How to Beautifully Present Italian Wedding Soup
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the Italian wedding soup in a small, elegant bowl to emphasize the delicate flavors and ensure a refined dining experience.
Use decoration: Garnish the soup with a light sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese and a few whole parsley leaves for a touch of color and sophistication.
Highlight the meatballs: Arrange the meatballs prominently in the bowl, ensuring they are evenly distributed and visible, showcasing their perfectly browned exterior.
Layer the vegetables: Place the carrots, celery, and onion pieces strategically around the meatballs, creating a visually appealing contrast of colors and textures.
Incorporate the pasta: Ensure the acini di pepe pasta is evenly mixed throughout the soup, adding a subtle texture that complements the other ingredients.
Add a touch of green: Just before serving, gently place a few fresh baby spinach leaves on top of the soup, allowing them to wilt slightly from the heat, adding a vibrant green hue.
Finish with a drizzle: Drizzle a small amount of high-quality olive oil over the top of the soup just before serving to enhance the richness and add a glossy finish.
Serve with elegance: Present the soup on a pristine white plate with a polished silver spoon, ensuring the overall presentation is clean, elegant, and befitting of a three-Michelin-star dining experience.
Essential Tools for Making Italian Wedding Soup
Large mixing bowl: For combining all the meatball ingredients thoroughly.
Dutch oven: Ideal for browning the meatballs and cooking the soup due to its even heat distribution.
Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring ingredients and deglazing the pot to scrape up browned bits.
Plate: To transfer and hold the browned meatballs temporarily.
Measuring cups: For accurately measuring ingredients like breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and pasta.
Measuring spoons: For precise measurement of salt, pepper, oregano, and dill.
Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
Cutting board: A safe surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
Tongs: Handy for turning the meatballs to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
Garlic press: Optional, but useful for mincing garlic quickly and efficiently.
Box grater: For shredding parmesan cheese to sprinkle on the soup before serving.
Ladle: For serving the soup into bowls.
Colander: To rinse the spinach before adding it to the soup.
Storing and Freezing Italian Wedding Soup
- Allow the italian wedding soup to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container. It will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- If you plan to freeze the soup, it's best to leave out the pasta as it can become mushy when thawed and reheated. Cook the acini di pepe separately and add it to the soup when reheating.
- To freeze, transfer the cooled soup (without the pasta) to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Leave some space at the top for expansion during freezing. Label the containers with the date and contents.
- The frozen italian wedding soup will maintain its best quality for up to 3 months in the freezer.
- When ready to enjoy the frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat the thawed soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. Add freshly cooked acini di pepe pasta to the reheated soup for the best texture.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed, and serve the reheated soup hot, garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
How To Reheat Leftover Italian Wedding Soup
Reheat the italian wedding soup in a pot on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure that the meatballs and pasta are heated through without becoming overcooked or mushy.
If you're in a hurry, you can reheat individual portions of the soup in the microwave. Place the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the soup is hot. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the meatballs to become tough and the pasta to become soggy.
For a quick and easy lunch, pack individual portions of the leftover italian wedding soup in microwave-safe containers. When you're ready to eat, simply remove the container from the refrigerator, loosen the lid, and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the soup is steaming hot.
If you have a large amount of leftover soup, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Transfer the soup to the slow cooker, cover, and heat on low for 1-2 hours, or until the soup is hot and the meatballs and pasta are heated through. This method is great for keeping the soup warm for an extended period, making it perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
For a crispy twist, reheat the soup in a pot on the stove until it's hot, then ladle it into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This method adds a delicious layer of flavor and texture to the leftover soup.
Is Homemade Italian Wedding Soup Cost-Effective?
The Italian wedding soup recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The combination of ground beef and ground pork provides a hearty base without breaking the bank. Fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and spinach are affordable and nutritious. Chicken broth and acini di pepe pasta add volume and flavor economically. The use of parmesan cheese and white wine adds a touch of luxury without a significant cost increase. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $20-$25 USD.
Is Italian Wedding Soup Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Italian Wedding Soup recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish, but it may not be the healthiest option due to some of its ingredients and preparation methods. Here's an analysis of the recipe:
- The meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef and pork, which can be high in saturated fat and calories.
- The recipe calls for breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in the meatballs, adding more calories and carbohydrates.
- The soup is prepared with olive oil, which is a healthier fat option, but the meatballs are also cooked in oil, increasing the overall fat content.
- The recipe includes a variety of vegetables such as onions, carrots, celery, and spinach, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- The use of chicken broth as the base for the soup is a healthier alternative to cream-based soups.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork to reduce the saturated fat content.
- Use whole wheat breadcrumbs or omit them altogether to decrease the carbohydrate content.
- Bake the meatballs in the oven instead of frying them in oil to reduce the overall fat content.
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the soup, such as adding zucchini, kale, or green beans, to boost the nutrient density.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content of the dish.
- Serve the soup with a side salad or a piece of whole-grain bread to make it a more balanced and satisfying meal.
Editor's Take on This Classic Italian Soup
This Italian wedding soup recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of beef and pork in the meatballs adds depth, while the fresh parsley and parmesan cheese provide a burst of freshness. The use of acini di pepe pasta is traditional and perfect for this soup. The addition of white wine for deglazing enhances the broth's complexity. The final touch of wilted spinach and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese elevates the dish to a comforting, hearty meal. Overall, it's a well-balanced and flavorful recipe that is sure to impress.
Enhance Your Italian Wedding Soup Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Appetizer and Dessert Pairings for Italian Wedding Soup
Why trust this Italian Wedding Soup Recipe:
This Italian wedding soup recipe is a trusted classic, combining the rich flavors of ground beef and ground pork in perfectly seasoned meatballs. The chicken broth base, enhanced with white wine and fresh vegetables, creates a comforting and hearty soup. The addition of acini di pepe pasta and baby spinach ensures a delightful texture and nutritional boost. Topped with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, this soup is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Trust this recipe for its balance of flavors and ease of preparation.
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