Despite the name, this hearty and comforting soup isn’t actually served at weddings. The name comes from the “marriage” of flavors between savory meat and leafy greens. Packed with tiny meatballs, tender pasta, and vegetables in a rich broth, it’s a beloved Italian-American classic.

🍴 Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup acini di pepe or other small pasta
- 4 cups baby spinach or escarole
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
🔥 Instructions
Make the Meatballs:
In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined. Form into small, bite-sized meatballs and set aside on a tray.
Sauté the Vegetables:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5–6 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté another 30 seconds.
Add Broth and Simmer:
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Carefully add the meatballs, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook uncovered for about 10 minutes.

Cook the Pasta:
Add the pasta to the simmering soup and cook until al dente, about 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Add the Greens:
Stir in the spinach or escarole and let it wilt for a couple of minutes. Taste and season the soup with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve and Enjoy:
Ladle into bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve with crusty bread for a cozy, complete meal.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Italian Wedding Soup
- 🥣 Large Soup Pot — Perfect for simmering large batches of comforting soup without boiling over.
- 🧄 Mini Garlic Press — Compact, efficient, and ideal for pressing garlic cloves into your meatball mixture or soup base.
- 🧂 Acini di Pepe Pasta — The perfect tiny pasta for Italian Wedding Soup—classic texture and size.
- 🧀 Parmesan Cheese Grater — For freshly grated cheese that melts beautifully into every bite.
💡 Helpful Tip: If you’re planning to make this ahead of time, cook the pasta separately and add it to each bowl before serving. This keeps it from getting mushy in the leftover soup!

















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