Easy Italian Wedding Soup
Easy homemade Italian Wedding Soup recipe with lean meatballs, whole grains, and fresh greens. Comfort in a bowl, ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
- 3 medium carrots, cut into small dice
- 3 celery stalks, cut into small dice
- 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, no sugar added
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup whole wheat pastina pasta
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated cheese, and 1 minced garlic clove in a medium bowl, mixing gently with your hands until just incorporated without overworking the mixture.
- 2
Roll the meat mixture into small meatballs, about the size of walnuts, and arrange them on a plate.
- 3
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- 4
Working in batches to avoid crowding, add the meatballs to the hot oil and sear them until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total, then transfer to a clean plate.
- 5
Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery to the same pot and sauté over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onions turn translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- 6
Stir in the remaining minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 7
Pour in both broths and the canned tomatoes with their juices, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- 8
Add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves, then return the meatballs to the pot.
- 9
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- 10
Increase the heat to medium and stir in the whole wheat pastina, cooking for 8-10 minutes until the pasta reaches al dente texture.
- 11
Add the fresh chopped spinach and stir gently until completely wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- 12
Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed with additional salt and pepper.
- 13
Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving.
- 14
Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley, and serve hot with crusty whole grain bread if desired.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| lean ground beef | ground turkey or ground chicken breast | Poultry reduces saturated fat content while maintaining protein levels |
| whole wheat pastina | chickpea or lentil pasta | Plant-based pasta provides more fiber and plant protein, improving blood sugar response |
| low-sodium beef and chicken broth | homemade vegetable or bone broth | Homemade broth eliminates added sodium and may include collagen for gut health |
| Pecorino Romano cheese | Parmigiano-Reggiano or nutritional yeast | These alternatives provide umami flavor with less sodium per serving |
| fresh spinach | Swiss chard or kale, chopped | These greens offer additional minerals and phytonutrients with slightly higher fiber |
| whole wheat breadcrumbs | ground oats or almond flour | These binders create lighter meatballs while adding more soluble fiber |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 365 |
| Total Fat | 15g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 72mg |
| Sodium | 680mg |
| Carbohydrates | 31g |
| Fiber | 7g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Protein | 33g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
