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Cozy Italian Wedding Soup Recipe with Mini Meatballs

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A comforting and easy Italian wedding soup featuring tender mini meatballs in a flavorful broth with fresh greens and small pasta. Perfect for cozy nights and quick dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (Italian-style or plain)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano if possible)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 8 cups chicken broth (homemade or quality store-bought)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup small pasta like acini di pepe or orzo
  • 4 cups fresh spinach or escarole, roughly chopped
  • 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Avoid over-mixing to keep meatballs tender (about 5 minutes).
  2. Roll the mixture into tiny 1-inch balls (about 40 mini meatballs). Place them on a baking sheet or plate. Wet hands slightly if mixture is sticky.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic in the last 2 minutes and stir until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and add Parmesan rind if using. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
  5. Carefully drop mini meatballs into the simmering broth. Simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until meatballs are cooked through. Avoid boiling hard to prevent meatballs from breaking apart.
  6. Stir in small pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 7-9 minutes, until al dente.
  7. Add chopped fresh spinach or escarole in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Stir gently until wilted and bright green.
  8. Remove Parmesan rind. Taste soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra grated Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Do not overwork the meatball mixture to keep them tender. Wet your hands slightly when forming meatballs to prevent sticking. Keep broth at a gentle simmer to avoid breaking meatballs. Parmesan rind adds umami depth but remove before serving. Fresh parsley brightens the flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta or omit pasta. For vegetarian, substitute meatballs with tofu or vegetarian alternatives and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian wedding soup, mini meatballs, cozy soup, easy dinner, comfort food, homemade soup, quick soup recipe

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