How to Prepare a Traditional Italian Wedding Soup
If you’re looking for a heartwarming and flavorful meal to impress your friends and family, Italian Wedding Soup is a great choice. Despite its name, this delicious soup isn’t related to weddings—it’s actually about the “marriage” of its ingredients, which blend beautifully together to create a comforting dish. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, preparing this soup is simple, and you’ll be amazed by its rich taste!
Italian Wedding Soup traditionally includes small meatballs, leafy greens, and tiny pasta in a savory broth. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the steps to make it from scratch, using easy-to-find ingredients. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we start cooking, let’s take a look at the ingredients:
For the meatballs:
– 1 lb (450 g) ground meat (use beef, pork, chicken, turkey, or a mix)
– 1 egg
– ½ cup breadcrumbs
– ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the soup:
– 10 cups chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
– 1 cup small pasta (like acini di pepe or orzo)
– 4 cups leafy greens (traditionally escarole, but you can substitute with spinach, kale, or Swiss chard)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 carrots, thinly sliced
– 2 celery stalks, sliced
– Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
– Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Step 1: Make the Meatballs
The meatballs are the star of the soup, so let’s start with them. In a bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together carefully using clean hands or a spoon until the ingredients are well mixed. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can make the meatballs tough.
Next, roll the mixture into small balls—about the size of a marble or a hazelnut. Small meatballs are ideal for this soup because they cook quickly and are easy to eat with a spoon. Place the meatballs on a plate and set them aside while you prepare the soup.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking or burning.
Sautéing the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness and adds depth to the soup. Once they’ve softened a bit, remove them from the pot and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Meatballs
In the same pot where you sautéed the vegetables, gently add the meatballs. Cook them for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally so they brown slightly on all sides. This step enhances the flavor of the soup, as the browned meatballs release delicious juices into the pot.
Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pot and set them aside for now.
Step 4: Build the Soup
Return the sautéed vegetables to the pot, and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the broth to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer. Add the cooked meatballs into the hot broth, followed by your leafy greens. Stir everything gently to combine.
Let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes. The meatballs will finish cooking in the broth, and the greens will become tender but still vibrant.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta
While the soup is simmering, cook the pasta in a separate pot of boiling salted water. Tiny pasta like acini di pepe or orzo tends to absorb liquid quickly, so cooking it separately ensures that your soup doesn’t get too thick.
Once the pasta is al dente (firm but cooked), drain it and add it to the soup pot during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Your Italian Wedding Soup is ready to serve! Ladle the soup into bowls, making sure each serving has meatballs, pasta, vegetables, and broth. Sprinkle a little grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Serve the soup with crusty bread or a simple green salad on the side for a complete meal. It’s perfect for cold evenings, family dinners, or any time you need a comforting dish.
Tips for Success
- Customize the Greens: If you can’t find escarole, spinach, kale, or Swiss chard work beautifully. Choose what you like!
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs in advance and freeze them. This saves time if you want to whip up the soup quickly later.
- Lighten It Up: Use ground chicken or turkey for the meatballs to make a lighter version of the soup.
Final Thoughts
Italian Wedding Soup is proof that simple ingredients can come together to create something incredibly rich and satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for loved ones or enjoying a quiet night at home, this soul-soothing soup is a recipe worth keeping in your kitchen. Try preparing it yourself and bring a taste of Italy into your home! Buon appetito!
