Despite the name, Italian Wedding Soup isn't traditionally served at weddings. The name comes from the Italian phrase "minestra maritata" - married soup - referring to the delicious marriage of meat and greens. This Italian-American favorite is beloved for its tender mini meatballs and satisfying combination of textures.
The tiny meatballs are the star - tender, flavorful, and perfectly bite-sized. Combined with small pasta, fresh greens, and golden broth, it's a soup that wins over everyone from kids to grandparents.
Perfect Mini Meatballs
- Size matters - Keep them tiny (3/4 inch)
- Don't overmix - Keeps them tender
- Wet hands - Prevents sticking
- Make ahead - Freeze uncooked
Traditional Greens
- Escarole - Traditional, slightly bitter
- Spinach - Mild, widely available
- Kale - Heartier, more cooking time
- Endive - Authentic Italian choice
Pasta Options
- Acini di pepe - Traditional tiny pasta
- Orzo - Rice-shaped
- Ditalini - Small tubes
- Pastina - Any tiny pasta
Italian Wedding Soup
Beloved soup with mini meatballs, pasta, and greens.
Nutrition per serving
295Calories
24gProtein
22gCarbs
12gFat
2gFiber
3gSugar
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
For the Soup:
Instructions
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Make meatballs. In a bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. With wet hands, roll into 3/4-inch meatballs.
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Start the soup. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and carrots, cook 5 minutes until softened. Add broth and bring to a simmer.
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Add meatballs and pasta. Carefully drop meatballs into simmering broth. Add pasta. Cook 10-12 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and pasta is al dente.
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Add greens. Stir in escarole or spinach. Cook 2-3 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
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Serve. Ladle into bowls. Top generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes
- Pork/beef version: Use a mix of ground meats for richer flavor.
- Freeze meatballs: Form on baking sheet, freeze, then bag for later.
- Cook pasta separately: If making ahead, to prevent mushiness.
- Storage: Refrigerate 4 days. Pasta absorbs liquid - add more broth.