This recipe for Italian Wedding Soup is hearty and delicious! Perfect for those cold wintry nights ahead!
Baby, it’s cold outside!
I know, I know, it’s January. It’s supposed to be cold, but I’m still going to complain because temps are dipping into the 20’s! The 20’s! Brrrr!!
And when temps dip that low it means it’s time to stoke up the fire and break out the fluffy blankets, fuzzy slippers and the BIG soup bowls!
We have lots of soup favorites at our house during the winter. Today, I’m sharing my husband Tom’s favorite, Italian Wedding Soup.
I made this soup last weekend and Tom asked for a bowl three days in a row! He even ate every last piece of spinach, carrot and celery every time! That’s big for Mr. Picky!
This soup is like a meal in itself. You’ve got your meat, veggies and a little bit of carbs.
I know there are several brands of canned Italian Wedding Soups at the local market, but I like to make my own homemade when I can, that way I can control how much salt goes in. Sometimes the store-bought brands are loaded with sodium.
I also like to change-up the type of pasta and greens I add. I like to use acini di pepe, little stars, pastina or orzo and for the green vegetable I like to include spinach, but you can also substitute escarole or kale.
So it’s time to grab your biggest soup pot, bowl and spoon and hunker down! Winter’s here!
Ingredients
- Meatballs:
- 1/2 lb. ground chuck
- 1/4 cup Italian panko bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 Tbsp. milk
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- Soup:
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 cup carrots finely chopped
- 1 cup celery finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 7 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup acini di pepe
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, rinsed, stems removed and julienned
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine all meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Form meatballs using a small scoop. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in refrigerator.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic and cook, covered until soft, 10 minutes.
- Add chicken stock, dill, oregano, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a low boil, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Add acini di pepe and continue to cook for 6 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Drop the meatballs into the soup and continue to cook for 4 minutes, until the meatballs float.
- Add spinach and parmesan and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
My aunt used to make a big pot of Italian wedding soup in the winter and it was my absolute favorite. Even got all the kids to eat their greens! I would love a big bowl of this on a cold winter day. Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Thanks so much Cathy! I love how some foods bring back memories of people we love! I’m sure your aunt’s was delicious! Have a great weekend friend!
Italian wedding soup is one of my favorites too! Must say Mr. BHK has fabulous taste! ;) Yours looks absolutely delicious, Mary Ann! SO SO much better than any canned variety, hands down! It’s been coooooold here as well, so soup has been on rotation in our house and I can’t wait to make this! Cheers and stay warm, my dear! <3. Pinned
Tom is very picky when it comes to veggies, but for some reason he gobbles them all up in this soup. I think the cold weather is here to stay now, unfortunately. Enjoy the weekend!
I love Italian wedding soup and your version looks delicious. Husbands can be so picky when it comes to veggies! There is a German wedding soup. It’s a clear beef broth with egg custard. It’s usually the first course at a wedding or big party . Have a great week!
He really is Mr. Picky and my son Casey is just like him!! The German version sound delicious too Gerlinde! Enjoy the upcoming weekend!
It sure is cold out side and this Italian Wedding Soup is perfect for this weather! I love the meatballs and that purple pot is gorgeous! Homemade soup is always better than canned. I need to grab my fluffy blanket and fuzzy slippers and make some of this stat!
It will definitely warm you up Rachelle! I’ll swap you some for some of your yummy short ribs! Deal?
My dad’s favorite soup is Italian Wedding Soup, but I have never made it for him. I’ll have to change that with this recipe!
Please do Nicole! He will LOVE it!
I love soups that are a meal in themselves, Mary Ann. There’s nothing like a rich, filling, hearty soup to warm you up – and you’re going to need warming up – 20 degrees – brrrr! To cold for my weak california blood :).
Oh it’s sooo cold Geraldine! I’m heading to Florida to surprise my mom in two weeks! Can’t wait!
You and I are the same when it comes to cold weather! Nothing is better to me than snuggling up with a blanket and my most comfy pairs of slippers with a big bowl of soup. Your recipe looks delish- so much better than anything store-bought!
Thanks so much Shelby! I can’t think of a better way to warm up!
I love how the food blogging world is bursting with soup and stew recipes right now! I never have to wonder what I should make for dinner because there’s an idea on every blog. LOVE this recipe Mary Ann! I can easily swap out the panko bread crumbs to make it GF! And those meatballs … heaven!
I know, I’m loving all the yummy recipes too! Yes, the meatballs!
Your soup is perfection, Mary Ann! One of my very favourite soups, so can’t wait to try your version :)
Thanks so much Jennifer! You’re going to love it!
This does sound perfect for a cold day. There’s nothing better than a pot of soup cooking on the stove. It warms the whole house!
You’re absolutely right Kathy! So comforting!
This soup looks amazing Mary Ann!! I have never had the homemade version- only the can version!! I know this would be a thousand times better! Have a great weekend!
You have to try it Jessica! So much better than canned!
Hi! It looks amazing and I would love to try it, but I live in a very small town where our local grocery store does not carry acini de pepe…can I substitute with orzo? Thanks!
Absolutely! Enjoy!
YUM! This looks amazing! I just love a good soup! I’ll eat soup all year long, but there’s nothing quite like a big bowl of soup on a chilly afternoon or evening! SO comforting! Thanks for sharing! Hope that you have a wonderful weekend :)
Thanks so much for the comment Cailee!I LOVE it all year round too! Have a fun weekend!
This looks so wonderful and warming, Mary Ann! Those little pasta shapes are so adorable. And so sweet of you to make your husband’s favorite. :) It’s so much more fun to cook when the family loves what you make, right?
You’re so right! Tom usually isn’t a big leftovers guy, so when he asks for repeats I know he really loves it! Have a great weekend Emily!
Hi Mare, I am making this tomorrow as it is Caroline’s favorite!
Yay! She is going to love it!
This looks like the perfect comfort food for a weekend – absolutely delicious!
It really is Lucie! You should definitely give it a go!
Ahh soup with meatballs – heavenly! I just love this! My only complaint about soup is often its not filling enough but this one definitely would be. So nourishing and perfect for those wintery nights curled up on the couch!
It definitely is Jess! I love the little meatballs and the pasta. Makes this soup more satisfying for sure!
Have you made this with ground turkey? Does it turn out well?
I haven’t made it with ground turkey Teresa, but that sounds like a great option. I would just substitute the ground turkey for the ground chuck and keep all the other ingredients the same. Thanks for following and hope you enjoy the soup!
This looks wonderful. Can it be made ahead and then frozen? Thanks
Yes, absolutely Sylvia. This one is a total favorite. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you! Making a big pot tomorrow!
Maryann- am I cooking meat and prior t putting them in the soup? Or dropping them in raw and letting them cook in boiling soup?
Hi Lauren. You just drop them and let them cook right in the soup. I make mine really small, so they only take a few minutes to cook. Enjoy!
Hello,
I made the soup for Sunday dinner. Looks amazing. And tastes delicious.
I’m so happy you tried it Jose! Glad you’re enjoying it!! Thanks so much for stopping by to leave a comment!
Hi
How do you measure 1/2 cup of pasta? I am using Orzo and it is a 12oz box. THanks!
Hi Margo. Just use your measuring cup and add 1/2 cup dry pasta to the soup and cook according to the pasta package directions. Enjoy!
In a word….AMAZING! It’s a keeper! Thank you for sharing.
Yay Traci!! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for dropping by to leave a comment! Happy weekend!
Do you think 80/20 grass fed ground beef will work vs. ground chuck?
I think it should work fine Audrey. Hope you enjoy!
Greetings from the snowy mountains of Tennessee. This is our first real winter in 28 years (just relocated from Florida). We love LOVE soup but didn’t really make much considering frosty drinks were more the norm. There were so many soups to choose from but settled on yours partly due to your storyline FLUFFY BLANKETS FUZZY SLIPPERS…as I was sitting in my fuzzy new slippers and a fluffy blanket ????. So glad I did!! This is the MOST DELICIOUS sup we’ve had in quite awhile. Now that we are going to be enduring mountain winters I look forward to using many many more of your recipes. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
You totally made my day Robyn!! That recipe is the most viewed recipe on my blog!! I’m so glad everyone seems to love it!! Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by to leave a comment! Happy New Year!
Can you make this in a crockpot?
Hi Liz. I have not tested this recipe for the crockpot. Good idea though. I’ll have to give it a try.
This looks fantastic! We love wedding soup, but the store bought brands have so many additives. I’m sure my old year old could even eat this as well with some help. We are excited to try it out!
One thing though, am I reading it correct when the recipe says to add the meatballs into the soup uncooked until they float? Just want to make sure adding in raw meatballs to the soup is okay. Thanks!
Yes, they cook up in minutes. You’ll love this recipe Heather. It’s the most viewed and enjoyed on my blog!
This soup was awesome. I made it last night and we loved it. I sent the recipe to all my friends. I NEVER write comments for recipes I make, but I had to leave one for you – this soup is amazing!! Thank you…
Thank you soooo much for dropping by to leave a comment Tara! That means a lot! So happy you enjoyed it and I really appreciate you sharing it with friends! Your comment has made my day! XO
Love, love, love this soup……I replaced beef with ground turkey…….so amazing….William be making it again for sure….thank u so much
So glad you enjoyed it Kimberly! This soup is the most popular recipe on my site!
Thank you so much for sharing this great tasting recipe! It is super easy to make and taste delicious, I’ve already made it twice within past 3 weeks!
Absolutely Nilda! This is the most popular recipe on my blog! I’m so happy you enjoy it!
This recipe is fantastic! I will keep making this version . Thank you :D I have been looking for Italian soup recipe (because I had a really good one at resturant and want to make it at home)and all of them is the same except this one.
Hi Leela. I’m so glad you enjoyed this soup. It’s one of the most popular recipes on my blog and a favorite with my family too! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment!
Absolutely the best soup that I have ever made and the best Italian wedding soup that I have ever had. All proportions, cook times and ingredients are spot-on. Very fun and rewarding to make. Meatballs and broth are fabulous. Fresh dill and use of acini de pepe pasta elevate an already great dish. Multo bene!
William you have made my night! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me that comment!! I’m so happy you enjoyed this soup! It is the most viewed/liked recipe on my blog! Thanks for following the BHK!
Hi there!
Is this okay to freeze? Do the noodles get smooshy if you reheat?
Thanks!
Hi Elle. Here is something I go by when freezing soups. Hope it helps! http://www.eatingwell.com/article/289227/how-to-freeze-soup-so-it-tastes-as-delicious-as-the-day-it-was-made/
We just finished our bowls of this amazing Italian Wedding soup! I was a little leary of the fresh dill but it added a wonderful freshness and married well with the oregano. I used fresh ground turkey instead of ground chuck, did not change any other ingredients and the meatballs were beautiful. I doubled this recipe thinking I was going to give half to a lovely couple in my neighborhood but now I am re-thinking that. ????
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Valerie! This is the MOST popular recipe on my blog! Thanks so much for following along here at the BHK and taking the time to leave a comment! Happy Holidays!
This soup looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it this week as we’re in the pattern of 20’s here in NY! Also, where did you get the soup bowls? Love those too! Thanks!
Everyone loves this soup Allison! It’s the most viewed recipe on my blog! And those bowls were a Home Goods score!! Happy New Year!
My family loves this soup so much! So hearty and perfect for those cold winter nights. I always serve it with a nice, crusty French bread…yummy!
Woohoo! So happy you all enjoy it! Thanks so much for following along at the BHK. If you haven’t tried my Tomato Tortellini Soup you should give that one a try too. I think you’d love it!
Very delicious and very easy to make. Instead of refrigerating the meatballs, I baked them.
So happy you enjoyed this recipe Carole! It’s the most popular recipe on the blog! Thanks so much for following and taking time to drop a comment!
Mary Ann,
I’ve done this recipe so many times since I’ve come across it on Pinterest! It’s been a success every single time – it’s perfect – so nourishing and tasty! I’m taking the time now to thank you for it and to say that your blog is WOW! Beautiful photos and stories.
It’s summertime here in Canada (and hot! believe it or not) but you know when you’ve been BBQing since May, you come to a point when a rainy day comes along and you cheat and sneek in a wholesome meal (like your Italian Wedding Soup) just because you miss the fall and winter menu (not the cold outside!) So thanks, it’s on the menu for tonight.
Your comment has made my day Geraldine! I’m so happy you enjoy this soup! It’s one of the most popular recipes on my blog! And thank you so much for the sweet comment about the blog! It’s because of people like you taking the time out of your day to share comments like this that make me so happy I started the BHK to share my passion for cooking! Enjoy and thank you so much for following along! XO
LOVE this recipe. Italian wedding soup is my husbands favorite so I wanted to make it for him. I’ve made it several times now and it gets better each time. Tonight, I made it with half lean ground beef, half mild Italian turkey sausage. It added a bit of a kick to it, which was really perfect! Mmm mmmm.
Thanks Rachel! Great change up. I’ll need to try that! Thanks so much for following!
I’m vegetarian. What can I substitute meat balls with
You don’t have to add the meatballs at all if you’re a vegetarian. The soup is packed with veggies already. Feel free to maybe add one cup or two of mushrooms in place of the meatballs if you’d like.
I have made this recipe several times now. It’s wonderful! I’ve even subbed the ground beef for ground turkey, and it’s still amazing! I’m attending a soup swap party in a few weeks, and I’m bringing this recipe. :) Thank you for a delicious recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoy it Melissa! Thanks so much for sharing and for following the BHK!
Hi! I found your recipe on Pinterest and can’t wait to make it this weekend for a “favorite things” party I’m hosting! One of my guests is gluten free so I know to replace the bread crumbs but I’m wondering if you have any suggestions for replacing the pasta? Rice? Quinoa? I love the pasta and would like to replace it instead of leaving that out altogether. Any thoughts? Thank you!
Hi Mariel. So glad you found my recipe! This Italian Wedding Soup is the most popular recipe on my blog! Everyone LOVES it! You could try a quinoa pasta which is gluten free. I saw one online by Ancient Harvest. They look like they’re mini pasta shells. If you can’t find those, you could omit the pasta and add some sliced mushrooms perhaps. Rice would also be a great substitute. Hope you enjoy!
Made this soup today. I thought it was awesome. Only thing I changed was the meatballs. I did 50/50 beef and pork and seared the meatballs before dropping them into the soup. I’m a Maillard reaction fan. Definitely going to make this again.
Glad you enjoyed it Andy! It’s one of the most popular recipes on my blog! Thanks so much for following!
Absolutely delicious. I will make this again and again.
So happy you enjoyed it Joy! This is the most popular recipe on the blog! Thanks for following the BHK and for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment!
Just made this and it is most delicious & hearty. I don’t eat beef so subbed in ground lamb. Can’t wait to make with other pastas too.
So happy you enjoyed it Nicole! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment! Happy New Year!
Oh my gosh!! This soup is amazing! II saved it in my collection and pulled it out this weekend! Crazy good! No restaurant can compare let alone a can. My husband helped me roll the meatballs which by the way we’re so tender and flavorful! I too added half Italian sausage and half ground beef. So highly recommend anyone to make your wonderful soup, the results are outstanding!
Woohoo! So happy you and your husband enjoy this soup! It’s by far the most popular recipe on my blog! Such a great comfort food! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! And thanks for following the BHK!
This soup is fantastic! Followed everything as written except used half beef and half ground pork. Very flavorful, and perfect for this cold weather! Thanks for posting it.
So happy you enjoyed it Janice! This is the most popular recipe here at the BHK! You’re so welcome. And thanks for following!
How many calories would you say are in this soup?
Hi Kim! I just updated the post with calorie facts. A very generous bowl would be 680 calories. It feeds like a meal! Enjoy.
I can’t wait to try this recipe. But am I missing something? Are the meatballs baked before putting into the soup? Or does 6 minutes really cool them through?
Hi Pat. They’re so tiny that they actually cook up very quickly in the soup.
I love this recipe SO MUCH. I’ve been making it for years now. I add some wine while the aromatics cook down, herbes de Provence (bc well, I put it in everything), and Parmesan rind while it cooks and dear god. I could eat this every day of my life.
I’m so happy you enjoy it Lindsey! I love your additions. Thanks so much for taking the time to drop a comment here and for following the blog! Your comment made my night!
I always wanted to try this recipe. I baked the meatballs instead of putting them in the broth raw.
Less grease in the soup and tasted wonderful. Also used farfaline pasta. Then the following week
I used ground turkey still baking the meatballs and it was amazing. This time I used the acini de pape
Pasta. My grandson was recovering from coronavirus and he said the soup made him feel so much better.
He knows how to schmooze his grandmother!
I think there could be so many variations on this recipe so that you never get tired of it!
Hi Maureen! So happy you gave the recipe a try! I like the changes you’ve made and so happy your grandson enjoyed it! Hope he makes a speedy and full recovery. This is the most popular recipe on my blog! Thanks for following along!
Just stopping by to say the first time I made this soup was back in 2017 and I’ve been making it repeatedly since then. Gray day in this freaky year..got another pot of it on the stove now…DEFINITELY my go to comfort soup!
Love to give it as get well, congratulations, thinking of you or no reason at all to friends and family.
Thank you again!
Hi Robyn! I’m so excited you love my Italian Wedding Soup! It’s one of the most popular recipes on my blog. Your comment made my day! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and comment. I really appreciate it! Happy Holidays!
I have made this 5 times and today will be 6. I love your recipe and I really appreciate the time and effort you put into it. I don’t make any changes to the recipe unless I can’t get fresh dill which has happened a couple of times. Dried dill does change the flavor a bit but it is still spectacular. I made the mistake the first time and added the same quantities of dry dill as fresh and it was a dill bomb! I’ve learned my lesson! Thanks again
Lol! So HAPPY you enjoy the recipe Justin! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment. I really appreciate it! Have a wonderful holiday season!!
Hands down my favorite soup recipe! I have made it more times than I can remember and I am about to make it again and thought it was time to thank you!
Hi Heidi. I’m soooo happy to hear that! You’re so welcome. Thank you so much for trying the recipe and following the blog!
I have been using this recipe for quite some time now. However I am from northeastern Ohio so I also adapt to some of their version…also add small pieces of chicken to the soup…in addition we add what they call pizza verde which is a very dense crouton made from eggs, parmigian cheese, parsley and flour…1450 mg of salt is still quite high in my opinion so I omit 1tspn for the meatballs(12) servings amount and omit one egg yolk for the meatballs as well and bake them for 15 minutes to reduce some of the fat..it’s a great recipe and I will continue to use the combined versions mentioned above!!!
Awesome Molly! So happy you enjoy the recipe. Those croutons sound delish!
This soup is amazing. If you don’t have time to make the meatballs, grab some at your local Italian store. I make a bunch and freeze them, but in a pinch, we happen to live near a fantastic Italian grocery store and theirs are so good. This is my family’s favorite – my absolute go-to for Italian Wedding Soup.
Yay! So great to hear Kim! Thanks so much for following!