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Italian Wedding Soup

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A hearty Italian-American classic featuring tiny meatballs, vegetables, and acini de pepe pasta in a flavorful broth.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Meatballs:

  • ½ lb. ground beef, 85% lean
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Soup:

  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 ¼ cups carrots, diced
  • 2 celery ribs, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ¾ cup acini de pepe pasta, uncooked
  • 4–5 cups fresh spinach
  • salt/pepper, to taste

To Garnish:

  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Instructions

  1. Gently combine all meatball ingredients without overworking the meat. Roll into 3/4-inch balls.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat and brown meatballs in batches for about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 6 minutes until softened.
  4. Sauté the garlic and Italian seasoning for about a minute, just until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  6. Return meatballs to the pot and simmer while cooking pasta separately until al dente.
  7. Add spinach to the soup and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  8. Serve by placing pasta in bowls, ladling soup over, and garnishing with Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For Crock Pot method, brown meatballs and vegetables first, then transfer to slow cooker with broth and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Add pasta and spinach during the final 30 minutes.
  • For Instant Pot, use sauté function for the meatballs and vegetables, add broth, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes with quick release.
  • Cook pasta separately and add spinach after pressure cooking.

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

 

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian wedding soup, meatball soup, Italian soup recipe, acini de pepe soup

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/italian-wedding-soup/