In the realm of culinary comfort, few dishes evoke as much warmth and nostalgia as a classic Italian wedding soup. Originating from Southern Italy, this hearty soup, known as 'minestra maritata', has transcended cultural boundaries and become a beloved staple in households worldwide. With its tantalizing blend of tender meatballs, vibrant vegetables, and a rich, savory broth, Italian wedding soup encapsulates the essence of Italian cuisine – an irresistible symphony of flavors that nourishes the body and soul. Whether you're seeking a heartwarming meal to share with loved ones or a quick and comforting dish after a long day, this article will guide you through the steps to create the ultimate Italian wedding soup, ensuring that every spoonful is bursting with flavor, tradition, and a touch of culinary magic.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
The BEST Italian Wedding Soup! Filled with homemade browned meatballs, fresh veggies and tiny bits of pasta. Total comfort food any day of the year!
Provided by Jaclyn
Categories Soup
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- For the meatballs:
- Add beef and pork to a large mixing bowl. Add in bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, parmesan, egg, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
- Gently toss and break up mixture with hands to evenly coat and distribute. Shape mixture into very small meatballs, about 3/4 inch to 1 inch and transfer to a large plate.
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook until browned, turning occasionally (to brown on 2 or 3 sides), about 4 minutes total.
- Transfer meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels while leaving oil in skillet. Repeat process with remaining meatballs (note that meatballs won't be cooked through at this point, they'll continue to cook through in the soup).
- For the soup:
- While meatballs are browning, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onions and celery and saute until veggies have softened about 6 - 8 minutes, add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.
- Pour in chicken broth, season soup with salt and pepper to taste and bring mixture to a boil. Add in pasta and meatballs, reduce heat to light boil (about medium or medium-low).
- Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and meatballs have cooked through, about 10 minutes, while adding in spinach during the last minute of cooking. Serve warm, sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 396 kcal, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 85 mg, Sodium 362 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
Tender meatballs, veggies, and pasta in a rich and flavorful broth, Italian wedding soup is a meal unto itself.
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set an oven-proof roasting rack over top. Spray the rack generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg with the chives, sage and garlic. Add the remaining meatball ingredients and mash with your hands until evenly combined. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls, about 1 inch in diameter (it will make approximately 50 meatballs), and place on the prepared rack. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, start the soup. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Add the chicken broth, beef broth, water, wine, bay leaf, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, uncovered, at a gentle boil until the pasta is al dente, 8 to 10 minutes (or according to package directions). Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Reduce the heat to low and add the spinach and meatballs. Simmer for a few minutes, until the spinach is wilted and the meatballs are warmed through. Ladle into bowls and serve with grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months but wait until you reheat the soup to add the pasta. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator for 12 hours and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until simmering, add the pasta, and cook until the pasta is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 359, Fat 22 g, Carbohydrate 16 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sugar 5 g, Fiber 2 g, Sodium 930 mg, Cholesterol 83 mg
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
Ina Garten uses chicken meatballs and vegetables in her version of classic Italian Wedding Soup, from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories appetizer
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- For the meatballs, place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino, Parmesan, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (You should have about 40 meatballs. They don't have to be perfectly round.) Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
- In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.
FAVORITE ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
I enjoyed a similar soup for lunch at work one day and decided to re-create it at home. I love the combination of meatballs, vegetables and pasta.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 1h15m
Yield 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine eggs and bread crumbs. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix well. Shape into 3/4-in. balls. , Place meatballs on a greased rack in a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until no longer pink. , Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, saute the carrots, celery and onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, spinach, basil, soup mix, ketchup, thyme and bay leaves. , Drain meatballs on paper towels. Bring soup to a boil; add meatballs. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Add pasta; cook 13-15 minutes longer or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 379 calories, Fat 24g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 107mg cholesterol, Sodium 1016mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
THE BEST ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
We tried all-sausage meatballs but found them heavy and dense - adding ground pork keeps them light but still extremely flavorful. Wilting the escarole at the end adds a texture and freshness that you won't get from spinach or a less-sturdy green. If you really want to up the umami factor you can always toss a Parmesan rind into the broth as it simmers, but we didn't miss it when made without.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Combine the thyme, bay, oregano and peppercorns in a 10-inch square of cheesecloth and bring the corners together to create a parcel. Tie it closed with kitchen twine.
- Stir the panko, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Stir in the cream, egg and half the grated garlic until completely combined.
- Combine the ground pork and sausage in a large bowl. Pull the ground meat apart with two forks as if you were shredding pulled pork, breaking up the clumps and incorporating the meat without compacting it until thoroughly mixed and no clumps remain.
- Add the breadcrumb mixture to the meat and use the same pulling technique to mix until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Scoop out portions of the meat mixture with a 1-ounce ice cream scoop (or use two heaping tablespoons). Roll the meat gently between your hands into balls. Arrange the balls on a rimmed baking sheet. You should have about 24 meatballs.
- Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs and cook, turning and rolling occasionally, until they are lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Remove to a plate; the meatballs will not be cooked through, just browned on the outside. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the chicken skin-side down. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken and add the onions, carrots, celery, remaining grated garlic. Season the chicken and vegetables with 1 tablespoon kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up the browned bits, until the vegetables have softened slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until it's almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add 8 cups water and the cheesecloth parcel and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and let cool slightly. Shred the chicken with two forks, discarding the skin and bones.
- Meanwhile, add the meatballs and pasta to the broth and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove the sachet. Stir in the escarole and shredded chicken and continue cooking until the escarole is wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Serve topped with parsley and grated Parmesan.
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP I
Coming from Rhode Island, a very ethnic state, this soup was traditionally served at Italian weddings. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Provided by Star Pooley
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In medium bowl, combine meat, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, basil and onion powder; shape into 3/4 inch balls.
- In large saucepan, heat broth to boiling; stir in escarole, orzo pasta, chopped carrot and meatballs. Return to boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cook at slow boil for 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 416.3 calories, Carbohydrate 43.3 g, Cholesterol 86.8 mg, Fat 14.2 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 27.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 1211 mg, Sugar 4 g
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
Make and share this Italian Wedding Soup recipe from Food.com.
Provided by CookingONTheSide
Categories Stocks
Time 1h15m
Yield 2 1/2 quarts, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine eggs and bread crumbs. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture; mix well. Shape into 3/4-inch balls.
- Place meatballs on a greased rack in a foil-lined 15-inch 10-inch x 1-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, in a soup kettle or Dutch oven, sauté carrots, celery, onion and garlic in oil until tender.
- Stir in the broth, spinach, basil, soup mix, ketchup, thyme and bay leaves.
- Drain meatballs on paper towels.
- Bring soup to a boil; add meatballs.
- Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Add pasta; cook 13-15 minutes longer or until tender, stirring occasionally.
- Discard bay leaves before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 444.6, Fat 27, SaturatedFat 8.9, Cholesterol 108.7, Sodium 1466.5, Carbohydrate 26.5, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 3.6, Protein 25.5
EASY ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
"After one taste, you'll find that this soup is absolutely delicious," promises Paula Sullivan from Barker, New York. "Lean ground beef and reduced sodium broth help keep it light. For variety, substitute garbanzo beans for the kidney beans."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 55m
Yield 7 servings (about 2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, parsley, 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 3/4-in. meatballs. , Place in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes; drain., Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large saucepan, saute onion and celery in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, beans and spinach. Stir in pasta, meatballs and remaining salt and pepper. , Cook until spinach is tender and meatballs are heated through. Garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 205 calories, Fat 6g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 1024mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 17g protein.
PARTY ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
A large batch of traditional Italian Wedding soup. This soup offers plenty of meat, carbohydrates and veggies. Perfect with Italian bread. For the pasta, I use acini di pepe, but you could use any small shape you desire, like shells or orzo.
Provided by Chuck
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large pot over medium heat, combine the chicken broth, spinach, onions, carrots and celery. Mix well and allow to simmer.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs and egg and mix well. Form mixture into 1/2 inch diameter meatballs and carefully drop them into the soup.
- Put chunks of chicken breast into the soup and reduce heat to low. Allow the soup to simmer for 1 hour. Add the pasta 30 minutes before serving and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 260.3 calories, Carbohydrate 17 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 19.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 732.5 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
BRIDGET'S ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
A wonderful recipe for a quick favorite. This recipe takes very little time to make and the results are fantastic.
Provided by Bridget Elaine
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 40m
Yield 1 Gallon, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine first eight ingredients.
- Form into LITTLE meatballs (there will be a lot of them).
- Fry in batches in the pot you will be preparing the soup.
- When all the meatballs are fried remove from the pot and add the chicken broth.
- Scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the meatballs, spinach, pasta, and carrots to the broth.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cook till the meatballs are done and sp is the pasta.
- ENJOY, ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.3, Fat 24.4, SaturatedFat 8.9, Cholesterol 129.8, Sodium 1679.9, Carbohydrate 28.5, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 3.4, Protein 33.9
Tips:
- Use a variety of vegetables. This will give your soup a more complex flavor and texture. Some good choices include carrots, celery, onions, garlic, spinach, kale, and tomatoes.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes are all good options. You can also add a splash of white wine or lemon juice for a bit of extra flavor.
- Make sure to simmer the soup for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop.
- Serve the soup with a side of grated Parmesan cheese. This will add a rich, nutty flavor to the soup.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Italian wedding soup is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a relatively easy soup to make, so it is a great option for busy weeknights. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious pot of Italian wedding soup that your family and friends will love. So next time you are looking for a comforting and flavorful soup, give Italian wedding soup a try.
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