Italian Wedding Soup, despite its romantic-sounding name, isn’t actually served at Italian weddings. It’s a hearty and comforting soup, a delightful marriage of flavors – hence the name! Inspired by Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, this version of Italian Wedding Soup is packed with tiny, savory meatballs, tender pasta, and healthy spinach in a flavorful broth. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s surprisingly easy to make, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Meatball Magic: Small Bites of Flavor
These mini meatballs are the heart of Italian Wedding Soup. Don’t be intimidated by making meatballs from scratch – this recipe simplifies the process. They bake in the oven, which is much easier than frying and keeps them perfectly round and tender.
Ingredients for Meatballs:
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound mild Italian sausage, removed from casings
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs or Panko (Panko gives a lighter texture)
- 1 large egg
- Leaves from a few sprigs of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced and mashed into a paste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, about ½ teaspoon each
Making the Meatballs:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- Combine the meatball ingredients: In a mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs (or Panko), egg, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined – avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Roll the meatballs: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, roll the meat mixture into about 40 small meatballs, each a little smaller than 1 inch in diameter.
- Bake and broil: Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Then, switch your oven to broil and broil for an additional 2 minutes, or until the meatballs are nicely browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach at least 160°F or 71°C). Set the cooked meatballs aside.
Building the Broth: A Symphony of Vegetables and Flavor
The soup itself is just as important as the meatballs. It’s a light yet deeply flavorful broth, enriched with vegetables and a hint of lemon to brighten everything up.
Ingredients for the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2–3 carrots, peeled and chopped or sliced into rounds
- 2–3 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced and mashed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, about 1 teaspoon each
- 8 cups chicken or beef broth (or a combination) – using bone broth adds extra richness
- 1 cup pearl couscous or small pasta (like ditalini or acini de pepe)
- Several handfuls of fresh spinach, baby spinach or regular (if using larger leaves, remove the stems and tear into smaller pieces)
- 40 reserved, cooked meatballs
- ½ fresh lemon
Assembling the Soup:
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and seasoning: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in salt and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer: Pour in the chicken or beef broth (or a combination) and bring to a boil.
- Cook the pasta: Add the pearl couscous or small pasta to the boiling broth. Reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for about 8 minutes, or until the pasta is just tender.
- Add spinach and meatballs: Stir in the fresh spinach and simmer for a minute or two until it wilts. Gently add the cooked meatballs to the soup and simmer for a couple more minutes until they are heated through.
- Finish with lemon: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the juice of half a fresh lemon. This brightens the flavors of the soup beautifully.
Serving Suggestions: Garnish and Enjoy!
Italian Wedding Soup is a complete meal in itself, but a few simple garnishes can elevate it even further.
Garnish Ideas:
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh Italian parsley
- Fresh herbs like lovage, sorrel, or shiso (if available)
Ladle the soup into bowls and let everyone add their favorite garnishes. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Italian Wedding Soup, inspired by the Pioneer Woman, on a chilly day or any time you crave a taste of homemade goodness.
