Wedding Soup

Name: Wedding Soup
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1/2 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb ground pork; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 8 cups chicken broth; 2/3 cup acini di pepe pasta (or other small pasta); 4 cups baby spinach; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

A hearty Italian-American soup featuring delicate meatballs, tiny pasta, and leafy greens in a flavorful chicken broth. Despite its name, this soup isn't traditionally served at weddings but gets its name from the "marriage" of meat and vegetables.

60 minMediumServes 6320 cal/serving

ItalianSoupStovetopStandardAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
8 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup acini di pepe pasta (or other small pasta)
4 cups baby spinach
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1

First, make the meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup milk. Let sit for 5 minutes to soften.
2

Add 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, half of the 1/2 cup grated, divided Parmesan cheese, 1 lightly beaten large egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3

Form the mixture into very small meatballs, about 3/4-inch in diameter (you should get about 30-35 meatballs). Place on a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
4

In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook until vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes.
5

Add 8 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Season with remaining 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
6

Gently add the meatballs to the boiling broth, one by one. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
7

Add the 2/3 cup acini di pepe pasta (or other small pasta) to the pot and cook according to package instructions, usually about 7-9 minutes.
8

Once pasta is al dente, stir in the 4 cups baby spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute.
9

Stir in the 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
10

Serve hot in bowls, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

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Questions

Why does Wedding Soup say not to overmix?

Step 2 reads: "Mix gently with your hands until just combined." Stirring develops gluten, and gluten makes quick batters tough and tunneled. Stop at step 2 while a few streaks of flour remain; they hydrate on their own.

What can I use instead of panko in Wedding Soup?

The entry for Wedding Soup calls for 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs. In its place: Coarse dry breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes or crushed crackers all work. Fine breadcrumbs coat more densely, so use a little less.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Wedding Soup?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Wedding Soup uses 1/2 lb ground beef.

Can I make Wedding Soup dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Wedding Soup is 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Wedding Soup gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Wedding Soup is 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2/3 cup acini di pepe pasta (or other small pasta). Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko; the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Wedding Soup contain eggs?

Yes: 1 large egg, lightly beaten. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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