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Classic Italian Wedding Soup with Mini Meatballs

Italian wedding soup with mini meatballs combines tender 3/4-inch meatballs, acini di pepe, and baby spinach in a savory chicken broth. The meatballs simmer right in the soup, making this a comforting one-pot dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 390
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the meatballs
  • 0.5 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 0.5 lb ground pork
  • 0.5 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 0.33 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 egg large
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For the soup
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion small, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots medium, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery ribs diced
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup acini di pepe
  • 5 oz baby spinach

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart pot

Method
 

Make the meatballs
  1. In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, milk, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper until just combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into 3/4-inch meatballs.
Make the soup
  1. Heat the olive oil in a 6-quart pot over medium heat, add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
  2. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
  3. Carefully add the meatballs and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the acini di pepe and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is tender and a meatball registers 160°F at the center.
  5. Stir in the spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until wilted, then serve hot.

Notes

Gently mix the meatball ingredients just until combined to keep the meatballs tender. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days; freezing is possible, though the pasta may soften when reheated. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta.