Italian Wedding Soup
Italian Wedding Soup
Italian Wedding Soup is absolutely fantastic! Make a big batch of this soup on a very cold and snowy Saturday, turn on your favorite movie, relax and enjoy. Serve Italian Wedding Soup with loads of fresh grated Parmesan cheese and big chunks of buttered Italian bread. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a “snow day” here in Wisconsin. (Some warm chocolate chip cookies might help!)
Facts About Wedding Soup
The term “wedding soup” comes from the Italian phrase “minestra maritata” which simply means “married soup.” Which is a reference to the flavor produced by the combination or marriage of greens and the meat. The minestra maritata is a pheasant recipe that came about like most soup recipes. Out of necessity and with ingredients on hand. Italian Wedding Soup is served usually served at Christmas and Easter but is not served at weddings.


Recipe Tip
In order to make the meatballs for this soup uniform, or in other words, “all the same size” here is a recipe tip you will want to try. Making all of the meatballs the same size basically means they will all cook at the same rate. This is a good thing because you don’t want to bite into a meatball that hasn’t cooked all the way through. Here’s the tip: use a small melon baller or cookie scoop. We like to use Onieda Cookie Scoop.

Italian Wedding Soup
Ingredients
- For Meatballs:
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 12 to 16 buttery crackers, crushed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- For Soup:
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 1 15 oz can cannellini beans, drained
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Directions for Meatballs:
- Combine all meatball ingredients.
- Form mixture into small meatballs anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 inches in diameter*
- Fry meatballs in a large skillet, until no longer pink inside. Remove from heat. Drain.
- Directions for Soup
- Combine all soup ingredients except spinach and orzo pasta.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, add spinach, pasta and meatballs.
- Cook until pasta is tender and soup is heated through. About 1 hour.
*Make it an Italian Dinner Night at your house tonight. Serve steamy bowls of Italian Wedding Soup and Classic Italian Lasagna. Don’t forget the Gelato! Recent Recipes: Layered Hamburger Bake
43 Comments on “Italian Wedding Soup”
I've never tried Italian Wedding Soup before, but it sure does look good, especially with the cheese on top!
Hi April~ You have got to make it~
I love Italian wedding soup but have never made it myself–you make it look so good!
Thanks Rebecca~
Italian Wedding Soup has been on my wish list to make for a long time now. Thank you for posting such a beautiful version of it giving me that extra push to make it SOON! 🙂
You have got to try this recipe~ You'll love it!
Italian Wedding Soup is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods and yours looks SO awesome. Great choice for the SRC!
Looks good! This soup is perfect for winter – I'm impressed that you made it 3 times!
It is a very easy and delicious soup….and it went fast:) Lynn
Looks yummy! Great SRC choice!
Thanks Dena~
Italian wedding soup is one of my favorites. It's so perfect in the wintertime. Wonderful SRC post
Happy Reveal Day~Lynn
With the weather we've been having, this soup sounds so perfect! Great pick this month 🙂
Thanks Melissa~ Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
I love all of the soup recipes this month. I wish I could have a bowl of each on this snowy day. Happy Reveal Day!!
Me too Emily!! Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
Italian Wedding Soup, another example of a recipe I have on my list to make as it seems amazing, and I've never had it
great choice to start 2015 on a fantastic note!
You have got to try it Sally, you'll love it:) Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
Yum, this looks delicious! It has been so long since I have had Italian weddng soup. It would be perfect with this weather.
Happy Reveal Day Tara~
This looks wonderful Lynn!! GREAT pick this month!
Thanks Susan~ Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
Yummy!! So many delicious, comforting soups featured today – I love it! This looks WONDERFUL and perfect for this cool January weather. Happy Reveal Day!
Your so right Rebekah!! Some wonderful soup recipes:) Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your sweet words….I just made this on Saturday! We LOVE it!!!
Your soup was fantastic and I'll be back to try your churros~ Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
Italian wedding soup is one of my favorite kinds of soup. It's got so many different things going on, but they all work together so well and it's so hearty! 🙂 Happy reveal day
Thanks Sarah! Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
You can't go wrong with a good soup this time of year!
No you can't Lauren!!! Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
We love Italian Wedding Soup and this recipe sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing with SRC.
It's delicious! Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
FABULOUS pick for this time if year in the Northern Hemisphere! LOVE it! Karen
Thanks Karen! Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
Delicious. This soup looks like the perfect bowl full of comfort for a cold and wintery day.
It really hit the spot!! Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
very nice.
Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
Italian Wedding Soup is such a great classic!! Yours looks so yummy with all that cheese sprinkled on top!!
Yes, it truly is a classic and so delicious~ Happy Reveal Day~ Lynn
Oh, my! This looks amazingly delicious. Can't wait to give this a try. Thanks for sharing with the SRC.
You will definitely love this soup! Happy Reveal Day~Lynn