Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Introduction

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting classic that brings together tender meatballs, delicate pasta, and fresh spinach in a savory broth. Perfect for a family meal or a cozy dinner, this soup is both hearty and refreshing.

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

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth of flavor, add a Parmesan rind to the broth while cooking the soup and remove before serving.
• Try swapping the orzo with other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe, ditalini, or small shells for a fun twist.
• Use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey if preferred.
• Fresh garlic can replace garlic powder for a more intense flavor.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid thawing and reheating multiple times to preserve the texture of the meatballs and spinach.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze Italian Wedding Soup?

Yes, you can freeze the soup for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze without the fresh spinach and add it fresh when reheating.

What pasta can I use instead of orzo?

Small pasta shapes like acini di pepe, small rigatoni, ditalini, or small shells are great substitutes and work well in this soup.

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 91 reviews

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender turkey meatballs, delicate orzo pasta, and fresh spinach, all simmered in a flavorful chicken broth. This classic Italian-American soup combines savory meat, pasta, and greens for a delicious and nourishing meal perfect for family dinners.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• 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 (for meatballs)

Soup

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

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatball mixture: In a small bowl, combine the ground turkey, crumbled bread, slightly beaten egg, minced onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon. Mix well to distribute all ingredients evenly.
2. Shape the meatballs: Form the mixture into small ½-inch diameter meatballs, ensuring they are roughly uniform in size for even cooking.
3. Heat the broth: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of cold water and the remaining 2 tablespoons of chicken-flavored instant bouillon to a rolling boil. For added flavor, you can add a Parmesan rind at this stage.
4. Cook meatballs and pasta: Carefully add the shaped meatballs and the orzo pasta to the boiling broth. Allow the soup to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and the pasta is tender.
5. Add spinach and simmer: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach leaves and let the soup simmer gently for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and flavors to meld.
6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting, homemade Italian classic.

Notes

• For extra flavor, add a Parmesan cheese rind to the broth while it simmers.
• You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef as preferred.
• Try different small pasta shapes like acini di pepe, ditalini, or small shells to vary texture and taste.
• This soup freezes well – store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
• Adjust seasoning and bouillon quantity based on your salt preference.

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, turkey meatballs, orzo soup, spinach soup, Italian soup recipe, homemade soup, comfort food