Homemade Italian Wedding Soup

Discover the warmth of Homemade Italian Wedding Soup, featuring savory meatballs, fresh greens, and hearty pasta in a flavorful broth. Perfect for gatherings!

Homemade Italian Wedding Soup is the epitome of comfort food, combining vibrant flavors and nutritious ingredients to create a dish that is both delicious and easy to make. This soup showcases tender meatballs made from lean ground turkey or chicken, which are perfectly seasoned and combined with an array of fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and spinach.

This recipe's simplicity allows anyone to prepare it with minimal fuss

This recipe's simplicity allows anyone to prepare it with minimal fuss, making it an excellent choice for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings with friends. In about an hour, you can enjoy a hearty bowlful of warmth that satisfies the palate and fills the kitchen with a delightful aroma that brings everyone together.

A smart choice for family dinners.

Its versatility means you can easily adjust the recipe to cater to various dietary preferences, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy the enjoyment.

Beyond its deliciousness, Italian Wedding Soup has health benefits, making it a smart choice for family dinners. The inclusion of lean meatball protein provides essential nutrients while the assortment of vegetables adds vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

This soup is heart-healthy and suitable for various dietary needs.

Spinach, for instance, is an excellent source of iron and antioxidants, helping to boost overall health and immunity. Low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control sodium levels, making this soup heart-healthy and suitable for various dietary needs.

The combination of flavors and nutrients comforts and nourishes the body,

The combination of flavors and nutrients comforts and nourishes the body, making this soup a delightful addition to family meals, potlucks, or meal prep for the week ahead. Its warm, welcoming nature makes it perfect for connecting with loved ones over a shared meal, fostering bonds, and creating memories around the dinner table.

Enjoying a bowl of Homemade Italian Wedding Soup is like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket—it's both fulfilling and heartwarming, making it a go-to option for any occasion.

Why is it called Homemade Italian Wedding Soup

Homemade Italian Wedding Soup is named for the "marriage" of flavors and ingredients in the dish. The term "wedding" does not refer to an actual wedding ceremony or celebration; rather, it symbolizes the harmonious combination of the various elements in the soup.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Servings Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• Ground turkey or chicken: 1 pound
• Grated Parmesan cheese: ½ cup
• Bread crumbs (preferably whole wheat): ½ cup
• Fresh parsley, chopped: ¼ cup
• Egg: 1 large
• Garlic, minced: 2 cloves
• Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Pepper: ½ teaspoon
• Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon

For the Soup:

• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Onion, chopped: 1 medium
• Carrots, diced: 2 medium
• Celery, diced: 2 stalks
• Garlic, minced: 3 cloves
• Low-sodium chicken broth: 8 cups
• Water: 2 cups
• Spinach or Swiss chard, chopped: 6 cups (fresh)
• Egg Noodle, Ditalini pasta or orzo: 1 cup (uncooked)
• Salt: to taste
• Pepper: to taste
• Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons (optional, for added flavor)

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

1. Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey or chicken, grated Parmesan cheese, whole wheat bread crumbs, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Form Meatballs: Using your hands, mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking and roll into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

Step 2: Cook the Meatballs

3. Heat Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
4. Brown Meatballs: Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this point. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside on a plate.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables

5. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.
6. Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Make the Soup

7. Add Broth and Water: Pour in the 8 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and 2 cups of water. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
8. Return Meatballs: Once boiling, carefully add the browned meatballs back into the pot.
9. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes. This will allow the meatballs to cook through and the flavors to meld.

Step 5: Add the Pasta

10. Cook Pasta: Stir in the egg noodles, ditalini pasta, or orzo. Cook according to package instructions, typically about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.

Step 6: Add Greens

11. Add Spinach/Swiss Chard: During the last few minutes of cooking (when the pasta is almost done), add the chopped spinach or Swiss chard. Stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
12. Season: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If using, drizzle in the lemon juice for a bright flavor.

Step 7: Serve

13. Dish Up: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. If desired, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor.
14. Enjoy: Serve your Homemade Italian Wedding Soup with whole grain bread or a light side salad for a complete meal!

This method should give you a delicious, wholesome soup that you and your family can enjoy together!

Here’s a list of helpful tips and variations for making Homemade Italian Wedding Soup:

Helpful Tips:

1. Choose Lean Meat: For healthier meatballs, opt for lean ground turkey or chicken. You can also use ground beef or a mix of meats for a richer flavor.
2. Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley adds brightness to the meatballs and soup. You can also experiment with other herbs like thyme or basil for added flavor.
3. Avoid Overmixing: When making meatballs, mix the ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense rather than fluffy.
4. Pre-Cook Vegetables: Sautéing the onion, carrots, and celery before adding them to the broth enhances their flavors and reduces cooking time.
5. Quality Broth: Use high-quality low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth for a more flavorful soup. Homemade broth is even better if you have the time!
6. Control Pasta Texture: To prevent pasta from becoming mushy, add it to the soup toward the end of cooking, and consider cooking it separately if you are planning to store leftovers.
7. Let It Rest: Allow the soup to sit for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the flavors meld together even more.
8. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.

Variations:

1. Vegetarian Option: Substitute meatballs with veggie meatballs or beans (like cannellini beans) for a vegetarian version. You can also skip the meat altogether and focus on more vegetables.
2. Different Greens: While spinach is traditional, you can use other greens such as kale, Swiss chard, or even arugula for a unique twist.
3. Pasta Alternatives: Instead of ditalini or orzo, try whole wheat pasta, gluten-free pasta, or even vegetable noodles (like zucchini noodles) for a low-carb option.
4. Add More Veggies: Enhance the nutritional value by adding more vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or peas for a pop of color and texture.
5. Spicy Kick: For a little heat, add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture or the soup while cooking.
6. Herbed Broth: Add fresh thyme or a bay leaf to the broth for additional depth of flavor while it simmers.
7. Cheesy Twist: Incorporate some diced or shredded cheese (like mozzarella or provolone) into the soup just before serving for a creamy texture and cheesy flavor.
8. Leftover Add-ins: This soup is great for using up leftover vegetables or grains you may have on hand, making it a versatile and sustainable dish.

With these tips and variations, you can customize Italian Wedding Soup to suit your tastes and dietary needs while ensuring a delicious outcome every time!

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