Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Introduction

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender turkey meatballs, delicate orzo pasta, and fresh spinach all simmered in a savory broth. Perfect for a family meal or a cozy dinner, this soup combines simple ingredients into a satisfying classic.

Ingredients

• ½ lb ground turkey
• 1 slice of bread, crumbled in a blender
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 Tbsp onion, minced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsp chicken-flavored instant bouillon
• 6 cups cold water
• ½ cup Ronzoni® Orzo
• 1½ cups fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the ground turkey, crumbled bread, beaten egg, minced onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of the chicken bouillon. Mix well and shape the mixture into ½-inch meatballs.
2. Step 2: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of cold water and the remaining 1 tablespoon of bouillon to a boil.
3. Step 3: Add the meatballs and orzo pasta to the boiling broth. Cook for about 10 minutes until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
4. Step 4: Stir in the chopped spinach and simmer the soup for an additional 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tender.
5. Step 5: Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Add a Parmesan rind to the broth while it simmers for a richer, more flavorful soup.
• Swap the orzo for other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe, small rigatoni, or ditalini for a different texture.
• Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a more pronounced flavor.
• Include chopped carrots and celery in the broth for added vegetables and depth.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm gently on the stove to avoid overcooking the pasta and spinach. For longer storage, freeze the soup without the spinach and add fresh spinach when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?

Yes, ground beef or a mixture of beef and pork can be used in place of turkey. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?

You can make a vegetarian version by substituting vegetable broth for the chicken bouillon and replacing meatballs with vegetarian meatballs or cooked beans.

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

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Italian Wedding Soup is a warm and comforting dish featuring tender turkey meatballs, small pasta, and fresh spinach in a flavorful broth. This classic Italian-American soup combines savory flavors with easy preparation, perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 30 Minutes
• Cook Time: 30 Minutes
• Total Time: 1 Hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• ½ lb ground turkey
• 1 slice of bread, crumbled in a blender
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 Tbsp onion, minced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp chicken-flavored instant bouillon

Soup

• 6 cups cold water
• 1 Tbsp chicken-flavored instant bouillon
• ½ cup Ronzoni® Orzo pasta
• 1½ cups fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a small bowl, combine ground turkey, crumbled bread, slightly beaten egg, minced onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon chicken-flavored bouillon. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
2. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs about ½ inch in diameter, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
3. Boil Broth: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of cold water and the remaining 1 tablespoon of chicken-flavored bouillon to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. For enhanced flavor, optionally add a Parmesan rind to the broth at this stage.
4. Cook Meatballs and Pasta: Carefully add the formed meatballs and ½ cup of orzo pasta to the boiling broth. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking and to ensure meatballs cook through.
5. Add Spinach and Simmer: Stir in 1½ cups of coarsely chopped fresh spinach leaves and reduce heat to low. Simmer the soup gently for an additional 3 minutes until the spinach wilts and flavors meld.
6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for a warm and satisfying meal.

Notes

• For extra depth of flavor, add a Parmesan cheese rind to the broth while it simmers, then remove before serving.
• You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
• Feel free to use different small pasta shapes like acini di pepe, ditalini, or small shells as alternatives to orzo.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
• To make the soup gluten-free, substitute the bread and orzo pasta with gluten-free alternatives.

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, turkey meatball soup, easy Italian soup, orzo soup, chicken bouillon soup, healthy turkey soup