Italian wedding soup is a delicious and hearty dish that traditionally includes meatballs, vegetables, and pasta in a flavorful broth. Here’s a recipe for making Italian wedding soup for a party:
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef or a mix of ground beef and pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Soup:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup small pasta (such as acini di pepe or small pasta shells)
- 5 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions:
- Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, minced garlic, egg, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pot and set them aside.
- Make the Soup Base:
- In the same pot, add a bit more olive oil if needed.
- Sauté the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Broth and Pasta:
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the soup to a simmer.
- Add the small pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Combine Meatballs and Spinach:
- Return the meatballs to the pot.
- Add the chopped fresh spinach and cook until the spinach wilts and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Season and Serve:
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.
- Optionally, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Enjoy this hearty and flavorful Italian wedding soup at your party!
