Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Load up on protein, complex carbs, and nutritious vegetables with this Italian Wedding Soup Recipe. From the meatballs to the pasta, it’s got it all. The dish serves 12!

Easy, savory Italian soup

Meatballs? Check. Veggies? Check. Loaded savory flavors? Check. This Italian wedding soup recipe does it all! From hearty protein to nutritious veggies, this soup checks all of the boxes and tastes delicious too.

For the starch, we’re using acini de pepe pasta. This creates the most fabulous soup texture, and the taste is fantastic alongside all of the other ingredients. To sneak in greens, you’ll find 4 oz of spinach and some fresh herbs, in addition to veggies like onion, carrots, and celery.

Ready to get started and dig into this classic Italian soup? You can expect prep and cook time to total around 45 minutes.

Ingredients in this Italian wedding soup recipe

• Beef: First up for this soup is 1 lb of beef. This is going to be used to make meatballs. If preferred, feel free to use ground turkey.
• Italian sausage: We’ll be pairing the beef with 1/2 lb of Italian pork sausage. Any kind is fine — use your favorite brand!
• Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup of bread crumbs will be used to help form the meatballs.
• Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds so much flavor! Use 1/4 cup.
• Egg: Use 1 large egg to help all of the meatball ingredients bind together properly.
• Chopped parsley: Add herby flavor with 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
• Garlic powder: Then, add one of the most important ingredients: garlic. Use 1 tsp.
• Salt: Follow the garlic with 1 tsp of salt.
• Olive oil: Next up, olive oil will be used to cook the ingredients. You will need 3 tbsp, divided.
• Vegetables: For veggies, use 1/2 large white onion (yellow onion is fine if that’s what you have), 3 large carrots, and 3 rib celery. Chop all.
• Garlic: Load up on more garlic, this time adding 3 cloves of minced garlic. If using powder, you will need 3/4 tsp.
• Spices: Then, follow the garlic with 1 tsp each of dried oregano, basil, parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper.
• Chicken broth: Now for the liquid portion of the soup! Use 8 cups of chicken broth.
• Water: Add an additional cup of water.
• Acini de pepe pasta: Thicken up the soup a bit by adding 1 cup of acini de pepe pasta. Orzo would work here too!
• Baby spinach: Last but not least, finish off with greens in the amount of 4 oz of spinach.

Tools needed to make this Italian wedding soup recipe

To make this recipe, you will need about 7 main kitchen tools. Following those, you’ll need a few measuring cups as well.

• Large bowl
• Stirring utensil
• Saucepan
• Slotted spoon
• Cutting board
• Chopping knife
• Dutch oven or large soup pot

To measure out ingredients, you will need the following sized measuring cups: 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make Italian wedding soup

This recipe comes together easily and requires minimal dishes! Once it is complete, you will have 12 large servings to enjoy.

Begin by grabbing a large bowl and combining the meatball ingredients. This includes the beef, sausage, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, garlic powder, and salt. Roll the mixture into 2 tsp sized meatballs and set aside.

Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for about 5-6 minutes total. Turn frequently to make sure all of the sides are cooked. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meatballs to a plate after cooking.

Next, chop and prepare all of the vegetables.

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil. Once hot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the veggies have begun to soften. Add the garlic and spices and cook for another 2 minutes.

Then, pour the chicken broth and water into the pot and stir until combined.

Add the meatballs and pasta to the pot. Bring to a boil, and once boiling, reduce the heat to medium. Let simmer for 15 minutes. After the pasta has simmered, turn off the heat and add the spinach. Stir until it has all wilted.

Serve with fresh parmesan on top.

Is wedding soup actually served at weddings?

Nope! Though the name would indicate otherwise, Italian wedding soup didn’t get its name because it’s a popular wedding dish. In actuality, the name comes from an Italian phrase for “married soup,” which is minestra maritata. It got this name because of its unique combination of ingredients!

What does Italian wedding soup contain?

All Italian wedding soup recipes are different, but this one contains beef and sausage meatballs, and lots and lots of herbs, spices, and vegetables!

Where does Italian wedding soup originate?

Italian wedding soup originated in Italy, particularly in the southern region. Now, the dish is enjoyed worldwide, and you may find two completely different recipes at neighboring restaurants! There are so many ways to make it.

Is zuppa toscana the same as Italian wedding soup

Some claim that the two dishes are essentially the same, and others say the opposite. It really depends on what’s in the recipe! Zuppa toscana tends to be quite similar to Italian wedding soup, as it is made of vegetables, spices, potatoes, and sometimes bacon. It’s likely the meat and vegetable combination that has folks claiming they’re similar!

Leftover Italian wedding soup can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or the freezer for up to 1 month. Before storing, transfer to airtight containers.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Craving some more savory soup dishes? Here are some ideas to try. The cheeseburger soup is a consistent favorite!

• Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan, Dairy-Free)
• Easy Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
• Best Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
• Easy French Onion Soup

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa