Italian Wedding Soup is a classic and comforting dish featuring small meatballs, greens, and pasta in a flavorful broth. Here’s a simple recipe for you to enjoy:
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup small pasta (such as orzo or small ditalini)
- 4 cups chopped fresh spinach or kale
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions:
For the Meatballs:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Make Meatball Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape Meatballs:
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and browned on the outside. Set aside.
For the Soup:
- Sauté Vegetables:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Broth:
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Pasta:
- Add the small pasta to the simmering broth and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Add Meatballs and Greens:
- Once the pasta is cooked, add the baked meatballs and chopped spinach or kale to the soup. Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes until the greens are wilted.
- Season:
- Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Ladle the Italian Wedding Soup into bowls. Optionally, sprinkle each serving with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy:
- Enjoy your delicious and comforting Italian Wedding Soup!
This soup is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for colder days. You can customize it by using your favorite greens and pasta shapes. Serve with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
