Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Introduction

Italian Wedding Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender turkey meatballs, delicate orzo pasta, and fresh spinach in a savory broth. This classic soup is perfect for a cozy dinner and brings a taste of Italy to your table.

Ingredients

• ½ lb ground turkey
• 1 slice of bread, crumbled in a blender
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 Tbsp onion, minced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsp chicken-flavored instant bouillon
• 6 cups cold water
• ½ cup Ronzoni® Orzo
• 1½ cups fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, minced onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of the chicken bouillon. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into ½ inch meatballs and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water and the remaining 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon to a boil.
4. Step 4: Add the meatballs and orzo pasta to the boiling broth. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the pasta is tender.
5. Step 5: Stir in the chopped spinach and simmer for an additional 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tender.
6. Step 6: Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Add a Parmesan rind to the broth while it’s boiling for extra depth of flavor.
• Substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef for a different taste.
• Swap orzo for other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe, ditalini, or small shells.
• For a heartier soup, add chopped carrots or celery in step 3 along with the water.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm gently on the stove to avoid overcooking the pasta. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to loosen the soup if it thickens.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and store them in the refrigerator. Add them to the broth when you’re ready to cook the soup.

Is it possible to freeze Italian Wedding Soup?

While the soup can be frozen, the pasta may become mushy upon thawing. To avoid this, store the meatballs and broth separately from the cooked pasta and spinach, then combine them when reheating.

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

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A comforting and savory Italian Wedding Soup featuring tender ground turkey meatballs, delicate orzo pasta, fresh spinach, and a flavorful chicken broth, garnished with Parmesan cheese for a deliciously hearty meal perfect for family dinners.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• ½ lb ground turkey
• 1 slice bread, crumbled in a blender
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 Tbsp onion, minced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp chicken-flavored instant bouillon (for meatballs)

Soup

• 2 Tbsp chicken-flavored instant bouillon (for broth)
• 6 cups cold water
• ½ cup Ronzoni® Orzo pasta
• 1½ cups fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the ground turkey, crumbled bread crumbs, beaten egg, minced onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of chicken-flavored instant bouillon. Mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
2. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into ½ inch meatballs, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.
3. Boil Broth: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of cold water and the remaining 2 tablespoons of chicken-flavored instant bouillon to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. For extra depth of flavor, consider adding a Parmesan rind to the boiling broth at this stage.
4. Cook Meatballs and Pasta: Carefully add the prepared meatballs and the orzo pasta into the boiling broth. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the orzo is tender.
5. Add Spinach and Simmer: Add the coarsely chopped fresh spinach leaves to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 more minutes until the spinach is wilted and tender.
6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot for a satisfying meal.

Notes

• For added flavor, add a Parmesan rind to the broth while boiling.
• You can substitute orzo pasta with other small pasta shapes like Acini di Pepe, Small Rigatoni, Ditalini, Small Shells, or Rings.
• Ensure meatballs are uniformly sized for even cooking.
• This soup pairs well with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, ground turkey meatballs, orzo pasta, spinach soup, chicken broth soup, easy Italian recipe, comforting soup