Italian-American · Soups & stews

Italian wedding soup with mini meatballs

Name: Italian wedding soup with mini meatballs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1/2 pound ground beef; 1/2 pound ground pork; 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving; 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided; 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, divided; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 2 medium carrots, finely diced; 2 celery ribs, finely diced; 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 Parmesan rind, optional; 3/4 cup acini di pepe or orzo; 1 small head escarole, washed and chopped, or 5 ounces baby spinach; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Tiny beef-and-pork meatballs, escarole, carrots, and small pasta in a clear Parmesan-scented chicken broth.

About 1 hr 5 minTotal

About 1 hr 5 minActive

$$Cost

ModerateDifficulty

Makes 6 servings

Equipment

Use a hot sheet pan under an inverted oven-safe metal bowl for the covered phase.
Best value covered pot
Lodge Essential Enamel 6-Quart Dutch Oven · EC6D43
View at Amazon
Another workable path: Use a hot sheet pan under an inverted oven-safe metal bowl for the covered phase.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, Kwilt earns from qualifying purchases.
How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We matched capacity, lid fit, oven rating, heat retention, maneuverability, care, stable model identity, and usefulness outside bread baking. Kwilt has not baked with this pot.
Lodge Essential Enamel 6-Quart Dutch Oven · EC6D43: The six-quart capacity, heavy cast-iron body, and fitted lid create the enclosed high-heat environment used by these bread methods while remaining useful beyond baking. Trade-off: At more than thirteen pounds it is demanding to move when hot, and the enamel needs gentler utensils and hand washing.
Another workable path: Bake on a preheated heavy sheet pan under an inverted oven-safe metal bowl, keeping face and hands clear when removing the hot cover.
Sources
Lodge six-quart Essential Enamel specifications
Amazon exact product listing

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 6 servings

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
2 garlic cloves, finely grated, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 medium carrots, finely diced
2 celery ribs, finely diced
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 Parmesan rind, optional
3/4 cup acini di pepe or orzo
1 small head escarole, washed and chopped, or 5 ounces baby spinach
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Gently mix beef, pork, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, 1 tablespoon parsley, half the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roll into 36 loose 3/4-inch meatballs; do not compact them.
Heat remaining oil in a over medium. Brown meatballs in two batches for 3 to 4 minutes, turning carefully; transfer. They will finish cooking in the broth.
Add onion, carrots, celery, remaining garlic, remaining salt, and remaining pepper and cook 6 minutes. Add broth and optional Parmesan rind and bring to a simmer.
Return meatballs and simmer 8 minutes. Add pasta and cook according to its package, usually 7 to 9 minutes, until just tender and meatballs reach 160°F. Stir in escarole for the final 3 minutes, or spinach for the final minute.
Discard rind, add lemon juice and remaining parsley, and adjust seasoning. Serve with Parmesan. For planned leftovers, cook pasta separately and add it to bowls to protect the clear broth.

Italy to the United StatesItalian American household cooking

From the table

About this recipe

Italian wedding soup is an Italian American dish whose name refers to the pleasing marriage of meat and greens, not a prescribed wedding menu; tiny meatballs, broth, pasta, and escarole define the familiar form.

Italian wedding soup is not named for a wedding ceremony. The English name comes from minestra maritata, a 'married soup' describing the pleasing union of greens, broth, and meat. Italian-American versions made mini meatballs and tiny pasta especially familiar. This version keeps those beloved cues while returning escarole to equal billing with the meatballs. This Kwilt version follows the reviewed household adaptation: Use the overwhelming high-volume household pattern, keep the familiar title, explain its actual name story, and balance Italian-American mini meatballs and pasta with the greens central to minestra maritata.

Sources

Dinner does not stop at the recipe