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Italian Wedding Soup

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Servings: 8 Servings

Ingredients

  • ½ pound ground chicken (*See note)
  • ½ pound ground beef or pork (*See note)
  • cup Italian style breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 large egg whisked
  • 1 teaspoon salt plus more for the soup
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ white onion diced
  • 3 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 3 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 3 stalks celery sliced
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 pound acini de pepe or orzo pasta
  • 2 cups spinach fresh

Instructions

  • Mix the chicken, beef and/or pork together in a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, salt, rosemary and parsley, and stir to combine.
    ½ pound ground chicken, ½ pound ground beef, ⅓ cup Italian style breadcrumbs, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Form 1-inch balls from the mixture. Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the meatballs, and cook on all sides until they are cooked through, about 8 minutes. You may have to do this in two batches if the pan is small.
  • Remove the meatballs from the pan, and set aside. To the same pan, add the onion, and cook until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
    ½ white onion
  • Stir in the garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes or until slightly softened.
    3 garlic cloves, 3 carrots, 3 stalks celery
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaves. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat then reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the pasta and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes.
    8 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 bay leaves, 1 pound acini de pepe
  • Stir in the meatballs and the spinach, cover, and let it simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the spinach has reduced significantly and the pasta is cooked to your liking.
    2 cups spinach
  • Serve with freshly chopped parsley for garnish if desired. See post for storage options.

Notes

*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 cup of soup. Actual calories will vary.
 
*For more information, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the post.
 
*You can use only beef or only chicken or a mixture of whatever you prefer just as long as it equals about 1 pound of ground meat.
Nutrition Facts
Italian Wedding Soup
Serving Size
 
1 cup
Amount per Serving
Calories
384
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
66
mg
22
%
Sodium
 
550
mg
24
%
Potassium
 
601
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
52
g
17
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
25
g
50
%
Vitamin A
 
4601
IU
92
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
74
mg
7
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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