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Cozy One-Pot Italian Wedding Soup

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A comforting and easy homemade Italian Wedding Soup featuring tender meatballs, fresh greens, and small pasta, perfect for cozy evenings and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup small pasta like acini di pepe or orzo
  • 4 cups fresh spinach or escarole, roughly chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. Roll the mixture into small bite-sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet or plate (yields about 30 meatballs).
  3. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant (about 5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Carefully add the meatballs one by one, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring gently occasionally.
  5. Add the pasta to the simmering soup and cook according to package instructions (usually 7-9 minutes). In the last 2 minutes, stir in the chopped spinach or escarole until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute almond flour for breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use plant-based alternative. Meatballs can be frozen uncooked and added directly to simmering broth, cooking an extra 5 minutes. Avoid overmixing meatballs to keep them tender. Chill meatballs 10-15 minutes before cooking to help hold shape. Remove pasta before freezing leftovers to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, one-pot soup, comfort food, meatballs, easy soup recipe, family dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/cozy-one-pot-italian-wedding-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/