Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs, Spinach & Pasta
A cozy, flavorful Italian soup made with homemade meatballs, tender pasta, and fresh spinach. Comforting, hearty, and ready in under an hour!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or a beef/pork mix
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 8 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 1 cup uncooked pasta fusilli, ditalini, or orzo
- 3 cups fresh spinach or escarole
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan for garnish optional
Instructions
Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Roll into small 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
Sauté the Veggies:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
Add Broth & Meatballs:
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Gently drop in the meatballs. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Add Pasta:
- Stir in the pasta and cook according to package directions (about 8–10 minutes) until tender.
Add Spinach:
- Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
Serve:
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan. Serve hot!
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Lighten it up: Use turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Greens swap: Substitute spinach with kale or escarole.
- Gluten-free: Use GF breadcrumbs and pasta.
- Zesty twist: Add a squeeze of lemon juice or red pepper flakes.
- Meal prep: Freeze portions for quick, cozy dinners later!
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the soup (without pasta) for up to 2 months.
- Thaw frozen soup overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat gently on the stove and cook pasta separately just before serving.
- Keep greens separate if planning to store, and add them at serving time to maintain freshness.