Italian Wedding Soup with Parmesan Meatballs
This cozy and comforting Italian Wedding Soup with Parmesan Meatballs is a one-pot wonder filled with tender meatballs, nourishing greens, and delicate pasta in a savory chicken broth. Perfect for chilly evenings or meal prep, it’s a flavorful, family-friendly recipe that’s easy to customize. Whether you’re using beef, pork, turkey, or a blend, this soup delivers on both taste and comfort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or a blend)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 cups chicken broth or stock
- 3 cups fresh greens (spinach, escarole, or kale), chopped
- ¾ cup small pasta (acini di pepe, orzo, ditalini)
- Optional: chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil)
Instructions
- Make the meatballs: Mix ground meat, Parmesan, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and optional herbs. Form into 1-inch balls.
- Brown the meatballs: In a large pot, heat olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, cook diced onion (and more garlic if desired) until soft.
- Add broth: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Cook pasta: Add pasta and cook until almost al dente.
- Add meatballs & greens: Return meatballs to the pot and stir in chopped greens. Simmer until meatballs are fully cooked and greens are wilted.
- Season to taste: Adjust salt, pepper, or Parmesan.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with more Parmesan or herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, or escarole all work as greens.
- For gluten-free, use GF pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Add carrots or celery with onion for extra depth.
- Store in the fridge 3–4 days; freeze without pasta and add fresh pasta when reheating.
