Italian wedding soup sounds fancy, but it's really old-school comfort food. The soup was originally made by Italian peasants who would throw a bunch of humble ingredients into the pot for an easy, satisfying meal. Luckily, the result was beyond delicious! Carry on the tradition of this Italian dinner idea with homemade meatballs, a rich broth, and pasta or couscous. The meatballs roast separately and are fantastic on their own, in this soup, or added to classic spaghetti and meatballs. They can also be mixed, shaped, cooked a day ahead, and refrigerated to save time on busy weeknights. Serve each bowl of soup with a hunk of Italian bread and you've got yourself a delicious meal the whole family will love. Add this recipe to your list of favorite cozy soups!
Why is it called Italian wedding soup?
Despite the name, this soup has nothing to do with weddings in Italy. Italians call it "minestra maritata" or marriage soup because of the delicious marriage of different ingredients: vegetables, meat, and pasta. It eventually became known as Italian wedding soup.
What's the difference between minestrone and Italian wedding soup?
Italian wedding soup is similar to minestrone, but these two soups aren't exactly the same. Both have a delicious broth and pasta, but minestrone has more vegetables than Italian wedding soup, plus hearty beans. Italian wedding soup, on the other hand, stars delicious meatballs.
What are the meatballs made of in Italian wedding soup?
They're made with a 50/50 mixture of ground beef and mild Italian sausage. Love spice? Feel free to use hot Italian sausage. You'll also find standard meatball ingredients such as egg, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper, on top of flavorful additions like garlic, parmesan, and chopped parsley.
What pasta is best for Italian wedding soup?
Pearl couscous is perfect for this recipe because it's small and allows you to get some in every bite! If you can't find pearl couscous, any sort of short pasta will work. Think mini shells, orzo, or ditalini. If you're using couscous, making sure it is pearl couscous is important. Regular couscous will not work as it will absorb too much liquid.
What is pearl couscous?
This couscous looks like little pearls, which is how it gets its name. It's also commonly called Israeli couscous. Pearl couscous is more like a pasta than a grain; it's best boiled and drained or simmered in broth like this recipe.
What's the difference between broth and stock?
Broth is made from meat and vegetables while stock is made from bones. Broth is best when you need several cups for a soup; it has a lighter color and milder flavor that won't overpower the other ingredients.
How long does Italian wedding soup last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, it'll stay good for up to three days. The couscous will continue to absorb broth as it sits, so have a little extra chicken or beef broth on to add to the soup when reheating if it seems too thick.
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- Yields:
- 6 - 8 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 25 mins
- Total Time:
- 45 mins
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1/2 lb.
lean ground beef
- 1/2 lb.
mild Italian sausage
- 1/2 c.
grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 c.
chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for serving
- 1
large egg
- 1
garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1/2 c.
panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp.
kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp.
ground black pepper
Nonstick cooking spray
Italian Wedding Soup
- 1 Tbsp.
olive oil
- 1 c.
chopped carrots
- 1 c.
chopped yellow onion
- 1 c.
chopped celery
- 3
garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp.
kosher salt
- 1 tsp.
ground black pepper, plus more for serving
- 6 c.
chicken broth
- 14 oz.
can beef broth
- 1 c.
pearl couscous or small pasta
- 5 oz.
baby spinach
- 2 Tbsp.
fresh lemon juice
Directions
- Step1For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 450ºF with the oven rack in the upper third of oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.
- Step2In a medium bowl, mix together the beef, sausage, parmesan, parsley, egg, garlic, panko, salt, and pepper until well combined. Form the mixture into about 40 (1/2-inch wide) meatballs. Lightly spray the foil-lined baking sheet with nonstick spray and arrange the meatballs in a single layer.
- Step3Bake the meatballs until they are firm to the touch, 6 to 8 minutes. Increase the heat to broil. Broil the meatballs until browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Set aside.
- Step4For the soup: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and celery, and cook until the vegetables start to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Step5Gradually stir in the salt, pepper, chicken broth, and beef broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and add the couscous. Cover and cook 8 minutes or until the couscous is just tender.
- Step6Add the spinach and cook until just wilted, 1 minute. Stir in the meatballs and cook until the meatballs are warmed throughout, 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
- Step7Serve the soup in bowls, and top with additional parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and black pepper.
Tip: The finished soup will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Recipe byTorie Cox
Recipe Developer
Torie Cox is a food stylist and recipe developer with a passion for baking and all things sweet. She enjoys traveling for sporting events and going for walks with her BFF, a senior dog named Lacey.
