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Hearty Wedding Soup

Featured in Warm Soups & Rich Stews.

This cozy dish pairs juicy sausage-beef meatballs with fresh spinach, pasta, and a flavorful broth. It's time well-spent for a satisfying homemade meal.

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Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:13:50 GMT
Soup loaded with carrots, spinach, pasta, and meatballs, garnished with cheese shavings. Pin it
Soup loaded with carrots, spinach, pasta, and meatballs, garnished with cheese shavings. | cookbybook.com

My grandma once handed me a worn-out notecard with her Italian Wedding Soup recipe. Now our family can't get enough of this comfort dish. There's something magical about watching those tiny meatballs float among bits of pasta while bright spinach adds life to every bite. Despite its fancy title, this soup is just a bowl of warmth waiting to hug you.

Why This Soup Stands Out

This recipe brings fancy restaurant vibes to your home without any headaches. When the Italian sausage meets that wine-touched broth, something wonderful happens. I can throw this together even on crazy days and still feel like I've created something really impressive.

Your Shopping List

  • Large Egg: Just one for keeping meatballs soft and moist.
  • Herbs: Some sage and chives for amazing taste.
  • Garlic: Go ahead and use plenty.
  • Beef: Pick somewhat lean meat for tasty meatballs.
  • Sausage: The Italian kind gives knockout flavor.
  • Parmigiano: Spend a bit more here, you won't regret it.
  • Bread Crumbs: Get the Italian-seasoned ones to save time.
  • Olive Oil: Use a nice quality one.
  • Veggies: Celery, carrots, onion form your flavor base.
  • Broths: Mix beef and chicken for better taste.
  • Wine: A splash of white makes everything taste better.
  • Bay Leaf: Adds that extra special touch.
  • Pasta: Any small kind you like works great.
  • Spinach: Adds lovely color and health benefits.

Cooking Steps

Meatball Magic
Combine everything with soft touches - the egg, herbs and all seasonings. Shape into tiny balls and bake until they're golden brown. Your house will smell incredible already.
Starting The Base
As your meatballs cook, warm some olive oil in your largest pot. Let the veggies slowly soften and release their sweetness, taking it nice and easy.
Creating The Heart
Pour in your mixed broths, add that wine splash and drop in the bay leaf. Let everything simmer and blend together.
Adding Pasta
Those small pasta shapes will cook directly in the golden broth, soaking up all the fantastic flavors.
Finishing Touches
My best part comes next - dropping those meatballs back in and watching spinach turn into beautiful green swirls throughout.
A close-up view of a bowl of pasta soup featuring meatballs, carrots, kale, and grated cheese. Pin it
A close-up view of a bowl of pasta soup featuring meatballs, carrots, kale, and grated cheese. | cookbybook.com

Enjoying Your Creation

I pour this soup into deep bowls and sprinkle fresh Parmesan on top. Some toasty garlic bread works great for catching every last drop. We sometimes add a simple Caesar salad on the side, but honestly, this soup doesn't need anything else.

Tips For Perfect Meatballs

Don't overhandle the mixture if you want tender meatballs. I grab my tiniest cookie scoop for consistent sizes. Putting them on a baking rack helps extra fat drip away, leaving just perfect bites. When I'm thinking ahead, I double the batch and freeze half - my future self always thanks me.

Storing Leftovers

This soup tastes even better the next day after all those flavors spend time getting to know each other. It keeps well in containers for about three days in your fridge. I often freeze portions for busy times - they're like storing a warm hug for later.

Easy Swaps

Sometimes I swap in kale instead of spinach when I want something heartier. Turkey makes great meatballs too if you're going lighter. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds nice heat, and those small gluten-free pasta shapes work perfectly for dietary needs.

Nutritional Benefits

I really like how this soup fills you up with good stuff. The meatballs pack plenty of protein while all the veggies add their goodness. Even the herbs and garlic bring health perks. It's comfort food that's actually good for you.

Suitable For Any Occasion

This soup fits just about any situation from casual family dinners to special gatherings. Its fancy name matches how pretty it looks, but it's still easy enough for regular meals. I've made it for date nights and holiday tables, and it always gets compliments.

The Secret Combination

There's something about mixing homemade meatballs with that flavorful broth and fresh greens that makes everyone ask for seconds. Maybe it's how the Italian sausage works its magic or the way aged Parmesan adds richness. Whatever the reason, our family can't imagine life without this wonderful dish.

A green pot filled with a hearty soup containing meatballs, macaroni pasta, spinach, and carrots. Pin it
A green pot filled with a hearty soup containing meatballs, macaroni pasta, spinach, and carrots. | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep meatballs earlier?

Sure! Make and bake the meatballs up to 48 hours ahead of time. Chill them until you're ready to add them to the soup.

→ Why combine chicken and beef broth?

Using both adds depth and richness. Stick with regular broth for the best flavor instead of a low-sodium option.

→ Can this soup be frozen?

Absolutely! Freeze it for up to 3 months but hold off on adding pasta. Use fresh pasta during reheating to avoid mushiness.

→ What works instead of Italian sausage?

Swap it for ground beef, turkey, or pork. The sausage boosts flavor, so you might want to adjust your seasonings more carefully.

→ Are different greens okay?

Totally! Escarole and kale work well. Just give them some extra time to soften as needed.

Conclusion

Comfort food at its best! This Italian-inspired soup combines soft meatballs, broth flavors, and veggies for a hearty dish great for any time.

Italian Wedding Soup

A rich and tasty soup filled with tender meatballs, vibrant vegetables, pasta, and a chicken-beef broth mix for a cozy meal.

Prep Time
50 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
80 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 8 Servings (8 bowls)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 1 medium yellow onion, diced.
02 2 stalks of celery, diced.
03 2 large carrots, diced.
04 ¾ pound ground beef, 85-90% lean.
05 ½ pound Italian sausage, casing removed.
06 1 large egg.
07 2 garlic cloves, minced.
08 3 tbsp fresh chives, chopped small.
09 2 tsp freshly chopped sage.
10 ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated.
11 ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs, seasoned.
12 ¼ tsp salt.
13 ½ tsp salt.
14 ¼ tsp white pepper.
15 1 bay leaf.
16 2 tbsp olive oil.
17 6 cups chicken stock.
18 2 cups beef stock.
19 ½ cup dry white wine (optional).
20 2 cups water.
21 1 cup ditalini or another small pasta.
22 4 oz fresh spinach, roughly sliced.
23 Extra Parmigiano Reggiano for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Beat the egg in a bowl and stir in the chives, sage, and garlic. Toss in the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and salt, and mix well. Shape into meatballs, about an inch wide.

Step 02

Line a baking sheet with foil and set a greased rack on top. Arrange the meatballs on the rack and bake for 15-18 minutes until they're browned.

Step 03

Pour olive oil into a large pot on medium heat and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook them for about 8 minutes or until they're softened.

Step 04

Into the pot, pour the chicken broth, beef broth, water, wine (if using), and toss in the bay leaf. Sprinkle in the salt and white pepper, then bring it all to a boil.

Step 05

Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until it's tender but firm, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 06

Lower the heat and stir in the spinach along with the meatballs. Simmer briefly until the spinach softens. Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan.

Notes

  1. Freeze without pasta for up to 3 months.
  2. Add uncooked pasta when reheating frozen portions.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big soup pot or Dutch oven.
  • Foil-lined baking tray.
  • Wire rack for roasting.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese).
  • Includes wheat (breadcrumbs).
  • Made with egg.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 359
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 16 g
  • Protein: 23 g