During my restaurant days, Italian Wedding Soup was a mainstay on my menus. Loaded with fresh vegetables, little homemade meatballs, and escarole in a rich flavorful chicken broth is perfect for any occasion.
Did you know Italian Wedding Soup did not get its name from being served at Italian weddings? True Story, the term “wedding” comes from the Italian phrase “minestra maritata” and refers to the marriage of ingredients in the soup, creating an amazingly flavorful soup!
The origins of the soup can be traced back to the Neapolitan region of Italy. Of course, you’ll find many local variations in the different regions of Italy. Using simple ingredients, Italian Wedding Soup is the perfect example of la Cucina Povera, the no-waste “poor cooking” tradition from rural Italy.
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Italian Wedding soup. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”
Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Simple Pantry Ingredients
- celery
- carrots
- onions
- olive oil
- escarole
- ground beef
- ground pork
- bread crumbs
- chicken stock
- parmesan cheese
How to make mini meatballs
- add the ground beef, ground pork, egg, bread crumbs, Romano or parmesan cheese, and seasonings to a large bowl.
- and mix just enough to incorporate all the ingredients. Be careful not to overmix.
Alternative meatball ingredients
- Meatballs can be made out of all beef or all pork.
- Ground sausage can be used instead of ground pork.
- You can also use ground chicken or ground turkey to make the mini meatballs.
Form the meat mixture into marble size meatballs. Refrigerate until needed.
*These meatballs can be made ahead of time and frozen. To freeze, place the meatballs sheet and freeze until solid. When frozen, place the meatballs in a ziplock bag and keep them frozen.
How to make Italian Wedding Soup
- Add celery, carrots and onions to a large pot with a little olive oil over medium heat.
- Let the veggies cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth to the pot and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a light boil.
- Add the meatballs to the soup and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes to cook the meatballs.
- Add the chopped escarole to the soup (baby spinach or your favorite leafy green can be used instead of escarole)
- Reduce the heat to simmer and continue to cook the soup.
Can I add pasta to the soup?
Italian Wedding Soup does not traditionally have pasta in the soup, but pasta is a great addition to this classic Italian soup. I like to add tortellini to my wedding soup; there are so many great options in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. Acini de pepe, or one of the mini varieties of pasta, are also great choices.
Whether you serve this for dinner, lunch or you’re next party; everyone is going to love the simplicity and flavors of Italian Wedding Soup. Just don’t forget to have plenty of crusty bread, European butter and grated cheese on hand. Add a salad, and you just made dinner a special occasion.
Recipe FAQ’s
A mixture of ground beef and ground pork (or sausage) are used to make the meatballs for the soup. Add Italian seasonings, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and an egg to make the meatball mixture.
The soup is made of a mirepoix (celery, onions, carrots), escarole, and chicken broth.
The classical Neapolitan soup we know as Italian Wedding soup is called minestra maritata, in Italy. This translates to “married soup”, not wedding soup, and refers to the marriage of the flavors.
You can use ground chicken or ground turkey for the meatball mixture. Both turn out really well and are good substitutes.
More Soup Recipes You’ll Love!
Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 carrots diced
- 4 stalks celery diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- olive oil for sauteing veggies
- 4 – 5 cups chicken stock
- 1 head escarole chopped – or your favorite green
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Mini Meatballs
- ½ lb lean ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely minced
- 2 tablespoons Romano or parmesan cheese grated
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add celery, carrots and onions to a large pot with a little bit of olive oil over medium heat.
- Let the veggies cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth to the pot and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a light boil and let the pot simmer for 15- 20 minutes.
- Add the meatballs to the soup and continue cooking for about 10 minutes. This will cook the meatballs.*Cooking the meatballs in the broth will enhance the flavor of the soup.
- Add the chopped escarole to the soup (baby spinach or your favorite leafy green can be used instead of escarole. )Reduce the heat to simmer and continue to cook the soup for an additional 15-20 minutes.
Mini Meatballs
- Add the ground beef, ground pork, egg, bread crumbs, Romano or parmesan cheese, and seasonings to a large bowl. and mix just enough to incorporate all the ingredients. Be careful not to overmix.
- Form marble size meatballs from the mix and when finished drop them gently into the hot broth.
- Serve with a little grated romano cheese and enjoy!
Notes
- Meatballs can be made out of all beef or all pork.
- Ground sausage can be used instead of ground pork.
- You can also use ground chicken or ground turkey to make the mini meatballs.
Capri
Such an amazing soup recipe! It was delicious and soul warming, just like you said! 🙂
Capri
This soup is most definitely soul warming! I loved the flavors!
Jessie
This was such a delicious, homey and warming soup recipe!
Ramona
Oh my goodness! This was the best wedding soup I’ve ever tasted! It’s going to be a regular. Thank you soo much for sharing!
Marina
Was absolutely great! What a great recipe
Jill
So delicious! a family favorite!
Andréa Janssen
One of my favorite soups! This is so delicious, I just love this recipe!
Leslie
So hearty and delicious!
Angela
One of my favorite soups. I love the addition of the tortellini.
Shari
I’m trying this recipe today Chef. Cold and snowy in NY. Thanks for sharing.
Chef Dennis Littley
It’s the perfect soup for the weather you’re having! Enjoy
anna@icyvioletskitchen
yum! i made something like this for my family in the winter and we all loved it! even my toddler was eating it, and he can be a little picky. your version looks terrific!
Chef Dennis Littley
it is a tasty soup Anna, and so easy to vary ingredients to make it a new soup every time you make it!
Kati Livingood
Yummm! And so simple 🙂 Thanks Chef!
Chef Dennis Littley
you’re very welcome Kati, Enjoy!
Kim Bultman | a little lunch
Italian “Wedding Soup” seems like the perfect dish following recent events, Dennis. 😉 Thanks for the great recipe
Betty Ann Quirino @Mango_Queen
My new favorite soup. Thanks for the recipe, Chef Dennis!
Liz
Yum – thank you. I love a good soup.
Chef Dennis Littley
your welcome Liz, thanks for stopping by!