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Cozy Italian Wedding Soup Recipe with Mini Meatballs

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A warm and comforting Italian wedding soup featuring tender mini meatballs, fresh greens, and tiny pasta in a flavorful broth. Perfect for cozy nights and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned, but plain works too)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced thin
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced thin
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup fresh spinach or escarole, chopped
  • 3/4 cup acini di pepe or orzo pasta
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, about 1-2 minutes. Avoid overmixing.
  2. Roll the mixture into tiny 1-inch diameter meatballs, about 40-45 total. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Carefully add mini meatballs to the boiling broth in batches. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  6. Stir in pasta and chopped greens. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until pasta is al dente and greens are tender but vibrant.
  7. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Optionally, sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan and fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Keep meat mixture cold to avoid dense meatballs. Do not overmix meatball ingredients. Add pasta towards the end to prevent mushiness. Fresh lemon juice can brighten the broth. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour and use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian wedding soup, mini meatballs, cozy soup, easy dinner, comfort food, Italian soup, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/cozy-italian-wedding-soup-recipe-with-mini-meatballs-easy-homemade-guide/