Italian Wedding Soup (2024)

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When’s the last time that you tasted Italian Wedding Soup? If you’re racking your brain, it’s been way too long! This soup recipe puts the reigns in your hands and lets you create this simple soup at home! That way, you can whip it up anytime that you want.

Italian Wedding Soup (1)

We’re always surprised by the number of people that have never tasted Italian Wedding Soup. The flavor and taste are one that everyone should try!

What we really love is the taste and texture of this delicious soup. The meatballs are such a fun added bonus that really make this soup hearty!

Italian Wedding Soup (2)

Growing up in an Italian household this soup always made an appearance at Sunday table and holiday gatherings. Sometimes the soup could have been changed up a little bit but it was always there.

Italian Wedding Soup (3)

Now we make this all the time for a perfect weeknight meal. We don’t wait for a Sunday or holiday for this yummy soup. Served with some crusty bread and an antipasto it can eat like a great meal.

How to make Italian Wedding Soup:

  • First your going to begin preparing the meatballs by adding all meatball ingredients except olive oil to a large bowl. Knead everything together with your hands.
  • Pinch off a tablespoon worth of meatball mixture ( you can make these smaller if you like) and roll into balls. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil.
  • Add some of the meatballs to the pan, only as many as will fit without touching, and cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook remaining meatballs and set aside.
  • In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and saute onions, carrots, and celery until tender. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  • Add the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Add pasta and meatballs, reduce heat to medium, and cover. Cook for about 10-12 minutes. Stir in spinach and let cook until spinach wilts.

Italian Wedding Soup (4)

We suggest not using frozen meatballs for this soup. Homemade will take just minutes to make and will make such a huge difference in how your soup tastes. Also we have never found a frozen meatball that tastes as good as homemade.

If your going to make a homemade soup take an extra few minutes to make the meatballs. Sometimes you just need a big bowl of soup and this Italian wedding soup is one of our all time favorites. It is comfort food at it’s finest. That hearty combination of meatballs, veggies and pasta can’t be beat.

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Italian Wedding Soup (5)

Why is it called Italian Wedding Soup?

It has nothing to do with an actual marriage ceremony. The “wedding” portion of the soup actually comes from the “marriage” of the greens of the soup and the meat. Pretty cool, right?

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How do you store this soup once cooked?

It’s actually super simple to store. We just put it into a big container with a lid and place it in the fridge. You can easily just scoop out a bowl or two as you want to eat it and save the rest for later.

And if you find that you can’t consume the leftovers within several days of making it, just then transfer the soup into a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer. That way, you can thaw it when you’re wanting to eat it later.

Italian Wedding Soup (7)

What toppings do you add to this soup?

There really isn’t a lot of toppings that you can add to this soup. But, if you’re wanting to add toppings, go for it! You can add on some more parmesan cheese or even some crushed up crackers.

Just wait until you try the taste and flavor of this soup. It’s super fun to create and make it but it’s just as fun to whip up and eat.

Every single bite is truly delicious and warming to the soul!

Italian Wedding Soup (8)

OTHER SOUP RECIPES YOUR GOING TO LOVE:

Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

Tortellini Sausage Soup

Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup

Beef Barley Soup

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Italian Wedding Soup (9)

Italian Wedding Soup

When's the last time that you tasted Italian Wedding Soup? If you're racking your brain, it's been way too long! This soup recipe puts the reigns in your hands and lets you create this simple soup at home! That way, you can whip it up anytime that you want.

4.30 from 106 votes

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italain

Ingredients

FOR THE MEATBALLS

  • ½ lb. lean ground beef
  • ½ lb. ground pork
  • cup bread plain crumbs
  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. oregano
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

FOR THE SOUP

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 large carrot, diced finely
  • 3 stalks celery, diced finely
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup acini pasta or other small pasta
  • 1 cup baby spinach, chopped

Instructions

  • Begin preparing the meatballs by adding all meatball ingredients except olive oil to a large bowl.

  • Knead everything together with your hands

  • Pinch off a tablespoon worth of meatball mixture and roll into balls

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add some of the meatballs to the pan, only as many as will fit without touching, and cook for 4-5 minutes , flipping halfway through

  • Cook remaining meatballs and set aside.

  • In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and saute onions, carrots, and celery until tender.

  • Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds

  • Add the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Add pasta and meatballs, reduce heat to medium, and cover. Cook for about 10-12 minutes.

  • Stir in spinach and let cook until spinach wilts. Serve hot!

Italian Wedding Soup (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning behind Italian wedding soup? ›

The name wedding comes from the Italian phrase minestra maritata which means 'married soup. ' Why is it married? It's the marriage of ingredients, and the resulting delicious flavor, in the soup! All wedding soups are going to have green vegetables and meat. Wedding soup began as many do, as a typical 'peasant' dish.

What is a substitute for escarole in Italian wedding soup? ›

The escarole in this soup can be replaced with mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, chard, spinach, or cabbage, so feel free to substitute. The meat can be the more traditional ground pork or half ground pork and half ground beef.

What is in East Side Mario's Italian Wedding soup? ›

The perfect marriage of chicken broth, mini meatballs, confetti pasta and spinach.

Do they actually serve Italian wedding soup at Italian weddings? ›

Italian Wedding Soup ✨🥂 Yes, I know this isn't actually served at weddings in Italy, BUT it does indeed originate there aka Minestra Maritata ☺️ RECIPE ✨

What is the real name for Italian wedding soup? ›

Minestra maritata (The Original Italian “Wedding Soup”)

It is so popular, in fact, that it has been marketed as a canned soup by Progresso under the…

How do you cook escarole so it's not bitter? ›

How Do You Take the Bitterness Out of Escarole? While escarole isn't as inherently bitter as broccoli rabe or radicchio, it does have a mild bitterness to it. It's easy to tame, however, by cooking it in garlicky olive oil and offsetting the bitter with a splash of tangy lemon juice at the end.

Which is healthier, kale or escarole? ›

These two leafy greens are highly nutrient-dense, with similar amounts of calories, carbs, vitamin K, and fiber per serving. Kale has more vitamin C, calcium, and manganese than escarole, while escarole has much more iron and vitamin A.

How do you thicken wedding soup? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

What is the difference between minestrone and Italian wedding soup? ›

It's similar to minestrone, but is made with meatballs; minestrone is usually made from vegetables and pasta. Italian wedding soup is a phenomenal freezer-friendly soup, and it doesn't take long to make – a perfect project for a chilly afternoon!

Does Campbell's make Italian wedding soup? ›

Enjoy the familiar tastes of home with every spoonful of Campbell's® Homestyle Italian Wedding Soup. Made with meatballs, spinach, romano cheese and pasta in chicken broth, our hearty Italian-Style Wedding Soup is crafted with care to deliver a delicious homemade taste that's sure to warm your heart.

What is in Campbell's Italian wedding soup? ›

CHICKEN BROTH (WATER, CHICKEN STOCK), BEEF MEATBALLS (SOY), ACINI DE PEPE PASTA (WHEAT FLOUR, EGG WHITE), SPINACH, POTATO STARCH, SALT, DRIED ONION, PARMESAN AND CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK), DRIED GARLIC, SPICES, FLAVOUR (CONTAINS CELERY), MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, ...

Who invented Italian wedding soup? ›

Though there are no sure traces, immigrants from Campania must have brought their varied versions of minestra maritata to the United States. Some considered the soup an exclusively winter dish, while others embraced both the Christmas and Easter associations.

What are the ingredients in Progresso Italian wedding soup? ›

Chicken Broth, Carrots, Cooked Meatballs Made with Pork and Turkey (pork, turkey, water, textured soy protein concentrate, romano cheese [romano cheese (pasteurized sheep's milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), powdered cellulose added to prevent caking] bread crumbs [bleached wheat flour, dextrose, salt, yeast], corn ...

What is East Side Mario's famous for? ›

East Side Mario's is a Canadian chain of casual dining restaurants, managed by its parent holding company Recipe Unlimited. The restaurant specializes in Italian-American cuisine. Individual locations aim to recreate the historic ambience found at the corner of Canal Street and Mulberry Street in Lower Manhattan.

What is the Italian proverb about soup? ›

Italian Proverb: Soup does seven things. It takes away. hunger and thirst, fills the stomach, cleans the teeth, makes you sleep, makes you slim and puts colour in.

What is the meaning of Zuppa del Giorno soup? ›

Zuppa Del Giorno offers soups and sandwiches with an Italian flair. The name translates to “soup of the day,” and it reflects the ever-changing menu and constantly evolving skills and motivations of the chef.

What is the most famous soup in Italy? ›

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup known worldwide as one of the best Italian soups. It's got a flavorful broth and a variety of slow-cooked vegetables like potatoes, peas, and carrots. Adding Italian sausage gives it a kick of flavor and a shot of protein, so it's a complete meal all by itself.

Is wedding soup actually served at weddings? ›

Upon a quick Google search, you'll learn Italian Wedding Soup is not a soup traditionally served at Italian weddings at all (bummer), but yet another Italian American twist on a classic—Minestra Maritata.

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