Description
This classic Italian Wedding Soup recipe has savory meatballs in a flavorful broth with spinach and pasta!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 1 ¼ cups carrots (diced)
- 2 celery ribs (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¾ cup acini de pepe pasta (uncooked)
- 4–5 cups fresh spinach
- salt/pepper (to taste)
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
- Combine: Gently combine the meatball ingredients, don’t overwork the meat. Roll into 3/4-inch balls.
- Brown: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté: Add the onions, carrots, and celery and soften over medium heat for 6 minutes, until softened.
- Season: Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
- Simmer: Add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook Meatballs/Pasta: Add the cooked meatballs and simmer gently while you boil the pasta separately until al dente. Drain once cooked through and add the pasta to serving bowls.
- Wilt: Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Pro Tips: Boil pasta separately and add to bowls to prevent broth absorption. For a shortcut, frozen mini meatballs can be used. 10 oz frozen spinach (thawed and patted dry) can be used instead of fresh.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 328 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1755 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 88 mg
Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, meatballs, spinach, pasta, comfort food, soup