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Italian Wedding Soup

4

50 min

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup Photo 1

Time

50 min

Serving

4 persons

Calories

416

Rating

4.00★ (984)

Cuisine

Italian
Author: Victoria Bailey
This lovely Italian wedding soup recipe combines flavorful meatballs with sliced escarole, orzo pasta, and finely chopped carrot. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

  • extra-lean ground beef: 0.5 pound
  • egg, lightly: 1 piece (beaten)
  • dry bread crumbs: 2 Tbsp
  • Parmesan cheese: 1 Tbsp (grated)
  • basil: 0.5 tsp (dried)
  • onion powder: 0.5 tsp
  • chicken broth: 5.75 cups
  • escarole: 2 cups (thinly sliced)
  • uncooked orzo pasta: 1 cup
  • carrot: 0.33333 cup (finely chopped)

Metric Conversion

Stages of cooking

Italian Wedding Soup Photo 21
Italian Wedding Soup Photo 3 2
  1. Combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, and onion powder in a bowl; shape into 3/4-inch balls.
    Italian Wedding Soup Photo 2
  2. Heat broth in a large pot over medium-high heat until boiling. Stir in escarole, orzo, carrot, and meatballs and return to boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook at slow boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes.
    Italian Wedding Soup Photo 3

History of Italian Wedding Soup: Believe it or not, the name of the Italian wedding soup does not have any relation to weddings. The soup is traditionally called minestra maritata, which means "married soup." The name of the soup comes from the perfect mix of multiple ingredients such as vegetables and meat, which harmoniously blend, creating a maritamezzo. The soup originated from Italy's southern region and was prepared for special occasions or family gatherings to get everyone around the table to taste the savory dish.

Tips and Tricks for Italian Wedding Soup Recipe: • For the best flavor, cook the meatballs separately before adding them to the soup. • Once the soup is added to the pot, stir frequently to prevent the orzo pasta from sticking to the bottom. • Instead of using ground beef, substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a healthier option. • If you don't have escarole readily available, feel free to use kale or spinach.

Tips for presenting the dish: To elevate the presentation of your Italian wedding soup, try incorporating the following tips: • Serve the soup hot in a classic Italian soup bowl. • Add a dollop of sour cream or ricotta cheese on top of the soup for a creamy finish. • Garnish the soup with freshly chopped herbs such as parsley, dill, or basil. • Serve with a side of homemade garlic bread or crostini to soak up any extra broth.

What Is Italian Wedding Soup?

Italian wedding soup is a hearty Italian soup consisting of noodles, vegetables, meatballs, and broth. It was originally a "peasant dish," meaning it's made from inexpensive ingredients that anyone could find.

Why Is It Called Italian Wedding Soup?

Even though it's called "wedding soup," this soup has nothing to do with weddings. The name comes from the Italian phrase "minestra maritata," which actually means married soup. But it's not the marriage we think of — it's actually referring to the marriage of the ingredients and the flavor it produces.

What Is In Italian Wedding Soup?

Most Italian wedding soups contain these ingredients:

MeatballsCombine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Parmesan, basil, and onion powder to create the meatballs.

BrothThis recipe calls for chicken broth — though reviewers have had luck using different broths too.

VegetablesThis soup has escarole and carrots. You can also add onions or celery if you want more color.

PastaThis recipe calls for orzo.

What Type of Pasta Goes In Italian Wedding Soup?

This particular recipe calls for orzo pasta, which is what we like to use. But you can really use any small pasta you have on hand, like ditalini or acini de pepe.

What to Serve With Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup really does have it all, so don't feel pressured to serve it with anything! However, we like serving this soup with a warm dinner roll.

How to Store Italian Wedding Soup

Store completely cooled Italian wedding soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You may need to add more broth or water when you're ready to reheat the soup, as the pasta tends to soak it up. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.

How to Freeze Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup freezes well. Ladle the completely cooled soup into individually portioned zip-top freezer bags. Freeze flat for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove until warmed through.

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