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Quick and Easy Italian Wedding Soup

Quick and Easy Italian Wedding Soup

A comforting Italian soup with tender meatballs, fresh spinach, and tiny pasta in a flavorful chicken broth.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or mix of beef and pork
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 8 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 cup acini di pepe pasta or orzo
  • 4 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Roll into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
  2. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes. They do not need to be cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, add minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  4. Add the pasta to the boiling broth and cook according to package directions, usually 6-8 minutes. Return the meatballs to the pot during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  5. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 22gFat: 11gSodium: 680mgFiber: 2g

Notes

For extra flavor, add a splash of lemon juice before serving. You can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them for even quicker preparation. If the soup becomes too thick upon standing, simply add more chicken broth to reach desired consistency.

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