Italian Meatball Soup

Italian Meatball Soup, also known as Italian Wedding Soup, is a classic Italian dish that features flavorful meatballs, vegetables, and pasta in a delicious broth. Here’s a simple recipe to make Italian Meatball Soup at home:

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork (or use all ground beef if you prefer)
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the soup:

• 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup small pasta (such as orzo or acini de pepe)
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh spinach or kale, chopped (about 2 cups)
• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, and the egg. Season with salt and pepper. Mix everything until well combined. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
2. In a large soup pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Add the dried oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Carefully drop the meatballs into the simmering broth and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
5. In a separate pot, cook the small pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
6. Add the chopped spinach or kale to the soup pot and stir until wilted and tender, which should take a few minutes.
7. To serve, place a scoop of cooked pasta in each serving bowl, then ladle the hot soup over the pasta.
8. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired and serve hot.

Italian Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a chilly day. You can adjust the ingredients and seasoning to suit your taste, and feel free to use your favorite type of pasta. Enjoy your homemade Italian Meatball Soup!