Italian Wedding Soup
Get ready to fall in love with the warm embrace of cozy Italian Wedding Soup! This delightful dish is loaded with flavor and packed with hearty meatballs, fresh spinach, and small pasta, making it a perfect choice for family gatherings or a comforting solo dinner. Let’s dive into the ingredients and bring this delicious bowl of goodness to life!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup acini di pepe or other small pasta
- 6 ounces fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs
Mix together the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, egg, minced garlic, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Once well combined, shape the mixture into tiny bite-sized meatballs.
Sauté the Vegetables
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic. Sauté the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and aromatic.
Add the Broth and Meatballs
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the pot to a gentle simmer. Carefully add the prepared meatballs to the pot and cook for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and tender.
Cook the Pasta
Add the acini di pepe (or other small pasta) to the pot and cook until the pasta is just al dente. Ensure that the pasta remains chewy and does not turn mushy.
Add the Spinach
Stir in the fresh spinach and let it simmer in the soup until it wilts and turns a vibrant green color.
Season and Serve
Season the soup with additional salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with extra Parmesan cheese on the side for a sprinkle of cheesy flavor.
Notes
Meatball Size
Aim for small, bite-sized meatballs for even cooking and easy eating.
Broth Choice
Using homemade chicken broth can enhance the flavor, but store-bought is perfectly acceptable and convenient.
Pasta Option
Feel free to substitute acini di pepe with other small pastas like orzo or ditalini, depending on your preference.
Storage
Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta may absorb some broth, so you may need to add a splash of broth when reheating.
Find it online: https://www.chyachya.com/italian-wedding-soup/