Description
This Easy Italian Wedding Soup is a classic Italian comfort food that’s simpler to make than you might think! Flavorful mini meatballs, tender acini de pepe pasta, and fresh spinach swim in a savory broth for a hearty and satisfying soup that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meatballs
- 1/2 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 1/2 lb ground pork sausage
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup onion, diced
- 3/4 cup carrots, peeled and diced into small pieces
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup acini de pepe pasta (uncooked)
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- Finely shredded parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make Meatballs: Combine ground beef, sausage, egg, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Shape into small meatballs (¾ to 1 inch).
- Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs in batches, transferring them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté carrots, onions, and celery until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute more.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil.
- Add Meatballs and Pasta: Add the browned meatballs and acini de pepe pasta to the boiling broth. Reduce heat and simmer.
- Simmer and Finish: Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through. Stir in spinach until wilted.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with parmesan cheese (optional).
Notes
- For leaner meatballs, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork.
- If you don’t have acini de pepe, substitute with other small pasta shapes like orzo or pastina.
- Add other vegetables like diced zucchini or escarole for variation.
- To save time, use pre-made meatballs from the grocery store.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
