Description
Hearty Italian wedding soup delivers comfort and nostalgia with its delightful blend of tender meatballs, delicate pasta, and robust greens. Nonna’s secret ingredients elevate this classic dish, promising a memorable meal that connects you to Italian culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 qts chicken broth
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 2 carrots, sliced into circles
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bag baby spinach or escarole
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
Seasonings, Binders, and Oils:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, for frying
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup orzo or acini de pepe
Instructions
- Craft delicate meatballs by thoroughly blending ground meat with herbs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, gently forming small, uniform spheres approximately quarter-sized.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot, creating a golden sear on each meatball side until achieving a rich, caramelized exterior. Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate.
- Using the residual oil, gently sweat aromatic onions until translucent, gradually introducing carrots to develop a flavor foundation. Incorporate minced garlic, allowing its essence to permeate the vegetable mixture.
- Pour chicken broth into the vegetable base, introducing bay leaves for subtle depth. Carefully reintroduce seared meatballs, allowing them to gently simmer and absorb surrounding flavors.
- Introduce pasta directly into the simmering liquid, allowing it to cook and absorb the soup’s rich essence. As pasta approaches tenderness, nestle fresh spinach leaves atop the liquid, covering momentarily to encourage delicate wilting.
- After spinach has softened and integrated, remove bay leaves, taste for seasoning adjustments, and serve this refined Italian-inspired soup piping hot, celebrating the harmonious blend of ingredients.
Notes
- Perfectly sized meatballs create an even cooking experience and ensure consistent flavor in every bite.
- Searing technique locks in juicy flavors and develops a delicious golden-brown exterior for the meatballs.
- Layered vegetable sautéing builds complex flavor foundations by releasing natural sugars and aromatics gradually.
- Simmering meatballs directly in broth infuses the entire soup with rich, meaty essence and tenderizes the protein.
- Wilting spinach off-heat preserves its vibrant green color and prevents overcooking, maintaining optimal nutritional value.
- Adding pasta towards the end prevents mushiness and keeps noodles perfectly al dente with just the right texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg