italian wedding soup recipe
Italian Wedding Soup Recipe: A Step-By-Step Guide
Italian wedding soup is a classic Italian dish that has gained wide popularity outside of Italy. It is a hearty soup that consists of meatballs, vegetables, and pasta, simmered in a savory chicken broth. If you’re looking for a hearty and healthy homemade comfort food, look no further than this hearty and delicious Italian wedding soup recipe.
Ingredients
For the Broth:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 1 large onion, peeled and cut into wedges
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 egg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Soup:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Broth (recipe above)
- Meatballs (recipe above)
- 8 ounces small pasta shells or acini di pepe pasta
- 5 cups fresh spinach
Broth Preparation
The key to making a tasty homemade broth for Italian wedding soup is slow-cooking of chicken bones. You can use store-bought chicken broth to save time but nothing beats the flavor of homemade chicken broth.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 1 large onion, peeled and cut into wedges
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 carrots chopped
- Garlic cloves - four, Pulverized
- Bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
1. Rinse the chicken wings in cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the chicken wings.
3. Sauté the chicken for about 10-12 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
4. Add onions, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper and stir to combine.
5. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients by 2 inches.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to low, cover loosely with a lid, and simmer for at least two hours (but up to eight), skimming off the foam that forms on the surface from time to time
7. Once cooked remove bones with a slotted spoon.
Meatballs Preparation
Meatballs are an essential component of Italian wedding soup. We recommend using ground beef, but you can use turkey or pork as alternatives.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Two cloves of garlic minced or grated
- One egg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. Combine the beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley leaves, garlic cloves, egg salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
3. Use your hands (or a spoon) to mix everything well until well combined.
It’s helpful if you’re wetting your hand so that they won’t stick when you’re forming balls
4. Roll meat mixture into small balls that are 1-2 inches in diameter is suitable; you should end up with about 30 meatballs.
5. Place the exercise balls on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes until completely cooked through.
6. Once cooked, set aside until you’re ready to add them to your soup.
Vegetable Preparation
Vegetables are the best source of fiber and nutrients in Italian wedding soup. You can use other vegetables like kale, collard greens, or Swiss chard if you need to cook by availability.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
1. Add olive oil to a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the celery, carrots, onions, salt and black pepper to taste and cook for about 10-12 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
3. Once done remove the pot from heat.
Combining all the Elements
Now that all of your elements are prepared, it’s time to combine them into one delicious soup!
Ingredients:
- Broth (recipe above)
- Meatballs (recipe above)
- Vegetable Mixture (recipe above)
- 8 oz small pasta shells or acini di pepe pasta
- 5 cups fresh spinach
Instructions:
1. Add the broth to a large pot and bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat.
2. Add meatballs one-by-one into the pot and stir gently.
3. In another pan cook the pasta until as per package instructions then drain and rinse with cold water.
4. Add vegetable mixture once done and let it simmer for about ten more minutes till everything gets mixed perfectly.
5. Finally, add spinach leaves to the soup pot, allow them to wilt for about five minutes while stirring gently
6. Now add same boiled pasta in the pot and let it simmer for 5 more minutes before serving hot with parmesan cheese as garnishing on the top
Storage and Serving Suggestions
If you have leftovers, it’s best to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can even freeze Italian wedding soup for later. To defrost it quickly, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before heating it up for a filling meal.
For serving, ladle your Italian wedding soup into bowls and top with shaved Parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs for some extra texture. You can also serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Nutritional Value
This hearty soup is loaded with protein and fiber from the meatballs, vegetables and pasta. It’s a satisfying meal that will fill you up and keep you sustained all day long.
One serving of Italian wedding soup provides 230 calories, 16g protein, 15g fat, 12g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, and 660mg sodium.
Variations and Modifications
Italian wedding soup is a versatile dish that you can easily customize to your own tastes. Here are a few suggestions:
- Vegetarian version: Replace the meatballs with vegetarian beef or walnut-feta balls
- Spicier version: Add hot red pepper flakes
- Low-carb version: Use zucchini or spaghetti squash instead of pasta
Tips and Tricks from Pro Cooks
To make perfect meatballs:
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better flavor
- Use your hands (or a small scoop) to evenly portion out meatballs with ease
- Start browning your meatballs over high heat at first before lowering the temperature so that they won’t fall apart
- Don’t overcook; keep an eye on them to prevent drying out.
Conclusion
Italian wedding soup is a delicious comfort food that has been popular around the world because of its taste. This recipe is simple to make but results in a rich taste in every bite. With tender meatballs with crisp veggies and al-dente pasta, it’s hard to resist. So grab in the fresh ingredients and get cooking! Enjoy a tasty and healthy bowl of Italian wedding soup, perfect for any cold or chilly day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
1. What are the ingredients needed to make a delicious Italian wedding soup?
The ingredients that you will need to make this soup include:
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Ground beef or pork
- Chicken meat, cooked
- Eggs, beaten
- Bread crumbs, dry
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh spinach leaves, chopped
2. Can I substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth?
Absolutely! If you prefer using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth in your Italian wedding soup, you can do so without affecting the flavor.
3. How long does it take to prepare and cook the Italian wedding soup?
The preparation time takes around an hour, while the cooking time ranges between thirty minutes to an hour depending on the type of meat that you use in your recipe.
4. How many servings does this recipe cater for?
This recipe makes around six servings and can be easily multiplied for larger gatherings.
5. Can I freeze the remaining soup?
Absolutely! To ensure freshness, store the leftover soup in an airtight container and freeze it for up to three months. Reheat the soup before serving.
6. What type of bread crumbs are ideal for this soup?
You can choose either plain or Italian-flavored breadcrumbs to add a little bit of flavor to your soup.
7. Can I add other vegetables in my Italian wedding soup besides carrots and spinach?
Absolutely. You can add different vegetables that you prefer, such as zucchini, sweetcorn, or mushrooms. Just make sure to chop them into small pieces before adding them to the pot.
