Italian wedding soup is a classic Italian-American soup that typically consists of three main components: meatballs, greens (usually escarole or spinach), and a flavorful broth. Despite its name, Italian wedding soup is not traditionally served at weddings in Italy. The name likely comes from the “marriage” of flavors between the meatballs and the greens in the soup.
Here’s a basic recipe for Italian wedding soup:
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 egg
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the soup:
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups chopped escarole or spinach
- 1/2 cup small pasta (such as orzo)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer.
- Add the meatballs to the simmering broth and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Add the chopped escarole or spinach and the small pasta to the pot. Cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the greens are tender and the pasta is cooked.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
You can adjust the ingredients and proportions to suit your taste, and you can also add other ingredients like carrots, celery, and onions to the soup for extra flavor. Italian wedding soup is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for a cold day or any time you’re craving a warm and satisfying bowl of soup.
