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Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 142 reviews

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting, flavorful soup featuring tender meatballs made from lean ground beef, fresh Parmesan, and herbs, simmered in a savory chicken broth with orzo pasta, crisp escarole, and finely chopped carrots. This hearty yet light soup makes a perfect starter or a full meal, bringing traditional Italian flavors to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • ½ pound extra-lean ground beef
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Soup

  • 5 ¾ cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups thinly sliced escarole
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped carrot

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine the extra-lean ground beef, lightly beaten egg, dry bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, and onion powder. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated without overworking to keep the meatballs tender.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter. Set them aside on a plate to firm up slightly while you prepare the soup base.
  3. Begin the Soup Base: Pour the chicken broth into a large pot and bring it to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped carrot and orzo pasta to the broth once boiling.
  4. Cook the Meatballs in the Soup: Carefully drop the meatballs into the simmering broth. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer to prevent the meatballs from breaking apart. Cook the meatballs and orzo for about 10 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and the pasta is tender.
  5. Add the Greens: Stir in the thinly sliced escarole and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the greens are wilted but still bright and fresh.
  6. Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding salt or pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Notes

  • Use extra-lean ground beef to keep the soup light and reduce fat content.
  • Be gentle when mixing the meatball ingredients to avoid a tough texture.
  • Orzo pasta swells quickly; do not overcook to maintain texture.
  • Escarole adds slight bitterness; substitute with spinach or kale if preferred.
  • Leftovers reheat well and flavors deepen after sitting overnight.

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, meatball soup, Italian soup recipe, orzo soup, escarole soup, healthy soup

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/italian-wedding-soup-recipe/