Fall in love with the irresistible flavors of Italian wedding soup. Follow this easy recipe for a soup that is packed with veggies, pasta, and tasty meatballs.
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Why we love this recipe
Oh, I love and adore this soup. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part, I love this soup, and true love lasts forever.
It is packed with veggies, pasta and little baby meatballs that simmer up to comforting deliciousness in a gentle chicken broth…which is actually how it got the name Italian Wedding Soup.
In Italian, the name of this classic soup translates to “minestra maritata” or “married soup.” And there are no white dresses or tuxes involved…it is because the ingredients and flavors marry so well together.
Here’s how you make this recipe
Heat some olive oil in a deep large saucepan over medium heat and add some chopped up carrots, celery, onion and a couple of bay leaves. Season your veggies with salt and pepper, cover the pot and cook the veggies for 5 minutes, stirring now and then.
While the veggies cook, combine some ground beef, an egg, some chopped garlic, a handful of grated Parmesan cheese, some crumbs and a pinch of nutmeg. Roll the mixture into very small meatballs. (If you have any kiddos around, they will LOVE this job!).
Uncover the pot and add some chicken broth and bring to a boil. When the soup boils, add the meatballs. I like to lower them in with a slotted spoon.
Next, add some small pasta, stir, cover and simmer it all for 10 minutes.
When the pasta is tender, stir in some baby spinach until it is wilted. Taste, adjust the seasonings if you need to, light some romantic candles and serve it up.
I like to make a nice big batch of this soup on a Sunday afternoon — it makes a perfect Sunday supper, especially served with some crusty French bread and butter, or even grilled cheese sandwiches if you have an especially hungry crew on your hands.
The leftovers save just beautifully and will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling when you look into your fridge wondering what’s for lunch and see the container of Italian wedding soup.
What to serve with this recipe
Other soup recipes we love!
We want to know what you think! 🤔
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe.
Italian Wedding Soup
Nothing says true love like a nice hot bowl of Italian wedding soup. Use this easy recipe to make some for your sweetheart today!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped fine
- 2 ribs celery, chopped fine
- 1 medium onion, chopped fine
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
- 1 pound ground pork/veal/beef combined
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cup dried pasta (I use tiny shells, but your choice)
- 8 ounces fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Heat oil in a deep large saucepan over medium heat and add carrots, celery, onion and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper, cover pot and cook veggies for 5 minutes, stirring now and then.
- While the veggies cook, combine meat, egg, garlic, cheese, crumbs and nutmeg. Roll the mixture into very small meatballs.
- Uncover pot and add broth and bring to a boil. When soup boils, add the meatballs.
- Next, add the pasta, stir, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- When pasta is tender, stir in spinach. When spinach is wilted, the soup is ready. Taste, adjust seasonings, light some romantic candles and serve.
Nanci Slattery says
I would like to know what the nutritional facts would look like if I substitute ground turkey breast for the listed meat in this recipe. I will definitely be making it.
Hi Nancy! I’m going to email you with that info – let me know how it turns out!
Nancy says
Do you add some water in addition to the broth? Water is not listed in the ingredients, but is in the directions.
HI Nancy and thanks for catching that! One of the updates I made to this recipe was to use all chicken broth and no water, so I’ve fixed that in the recipe. :)
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Oh I love Italian Wedding Soup! This looks awesome – I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Have a great weekend my friend! xo
Easy Italian Recipes says
Hi! Your Italian wedding soup has been nominated as one of the “Best Italian Wedding Soup Recipes on the Net”. To vote for it, please visit http://easyitalianrecipes.org/soup-recipes/best-italian-wedding-soup-recipes-on-the-net-vote-for-your-favorite/ (your recipe is positioned at #145).
pinksuedeshoe says
I made this for dinner tonight with some italian sausage, because that's what I had, and it was FANTASTIC! Even my non soup loving hubby (he doesn't think it's a real meal) had two bowls. I think the little meatballs made the difference! Thank you so much.
Kate Morgan Jackson says
Wow, thanks for all the great comments — I'm so glad this soup is working so well for all you guys! (Now I think I need to go make it again!!)
Juno says
I love the simplicity and clean flavours of this dish (well, I haven't tried it but I certainly will do). Thank you. Looks amazing.
Lindsay says
I just made this soupe tonight and I normally, when I get a recipe off FoodGawker, I don't usually comment after I've made it. But I had to come on here and comment this AMAZING soup! Not only is it simple to make, but it goes together super quick and tastes like you've spent all day making it. I was skepticle about it because of the fact that it doesn't have many ingredients, but I wanted to try it because I love Italian Wedding soup. This did not disappoint AT ALL. My parents loved it and even my picky pooch had a meatball and some broth. We all went back for seconds and I can't wait to reheat some for lunch tomorrow! Thank you for posting such an amazing recipe. ;)
Kate Morgan Jackson says
Second day soup (and stew, and chili) is the BEST!
Suzanne H. says
I made this the other night–Loved it. It's even better on the 2nd day!
firstlookthencook says
Nice job on the soup, it looks amazing!!
Kate says
I love Italian Wedding Soup. Isn't it fun? Little meatballs in soup…delicious. Great photo!
Ciao Chow Linda says
Oh yum – that is a perfect Sunday supper. I remember growing up with this soup that my mother made on special occasions. great photo too.