Snomageddan is apparently coming to the Midwest later this week, but for today the sun was shining and the temperatures were mild. Ben and I took a quick zip around the neighborhood this afternoon before I simmered up some Italian Wedding Soup to have in the fridge for when the flurries start flyin’!
I actually posted this recipe for Italian Wedding Soup on the blog about three years ago, but I thought it deserved to be bumped to the top. This recipe is my Mom’s and is one of my very favorite soups ever, ever, ever. It’s so easy to make and tastes absolutely incredible. Plus, while it’s definitely not winning any beauty awards, it’s pretty healthy, too!
How to Make Italian Wedding Soup:
Start by sauteing 1/4 small onion and 2 garlic cloves in 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil until translucent. Next add 1-10oz package frozen –> thawed –> squeezed dry chopped spinach.
Pour in 8 cups (64oz) chicken broth then bring to a boil.
Next add 1/2lb pre-cooked mini meatballs. My grocery store carries these by the ground beef, but you might look for them in the frozen foods section too. If you can’t find mini meatballs, I’d chop regular meatballs into quarters OR make your own. Psst – I also use these mini meatballs in my Spaghetti & Meatball Soup!
Also add 1/2 cup ancini di pepe. This is a small, bead-like pasta. You could really use any small pasta if you can’t find this exact kind for some reason!
Boil until the pasta is cooked then, in a small bowl, whisk together 2 eggs + 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese. Slowly drizzle the mixture into the hot soup then cook for one more minute.
Top bowls with a bit more grated parmesan cheese, then serve!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Italian Wedding Soup
Description
Italian Wedding Soup is incredibly satisfying and filling, yet light. One of my all-time favorite soup recipes.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt & pepper
- 10oz frozen spinach, thawed & squeezed dry of excess moisture
- 64oz chicken broth
- 1/2 cup ancini di pepe (or other small pasta)
- 1/2lb fully-cooked mini meatballs
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, then saute for 3-4 minutes or until translucent Add garlic then saute for 30 more seconds.
- Add frozen spinach then stir to break up. Add chicken broth then bring to a boil. Once boiling add pasta and meatballs then cook until pasta is al dente, about 8-9 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and parmesan cheese. Drizzle into soup while stirring constantly then cook for 1 more minute before serving.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Kind of like a mix between egg drop soup, minestrone, and chicken soup – this Italian Wedding Soup will knock your socks off by how easy it is to make, yet how sublime it tastes. YUM!
Well guys, time to kick back and relax for the evening. Have a great rest of your day – and awesome start to your week. See ya’!
Em 02.19.2013
Just made this – it was DELICIOUS ! You are right – it doesn’t look great…but soooo tasty – thanks for another great recipe :)
Susie 02.18.2013
I made the Greek pistachio-crusted chicken for dinner tonight, and my husband’s comment was, “This is almost as good as something you’d order in a restaurant.” Victory! Thanks for the link!
karen 02.18.2013
I don’t have pay movie channels so I haven’t seen “Girls”. Is it worth paying Netflix or On Demand to get it? I am curious about that and “Downton Abbey”. Are you a follower of that show? I can see myself liking “Girls” but I don’t know about “Downton Abbey”.
Iowa Girl Eats 02.18.2013
I wouldn’t pay JUST to get the show, especially since there’s only 1-1/2 seasons out. I’d maybe wait until they have more episodes to pay!
Susan 02.18.2013
On a quest to find the mini-meatballs for my soup obsession this winter. Our local HyVee doesn’t carry them, so I may have to stock up the next time we’re in the DM area.
lindsay 02.18.2013
Rhymesayers!
Brie @ Entrée the Giant 02.18.2013
Sigh…I remember your original Italian Wedding Soup. My, oh my…how far we’ve come :)
Iowa Girl Eats 02.18.2013
hahaha no doubt! ;)
Jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com 02.18.2013
I love Girls! Amazingly we’ve got season two in the UK already – we’re usually way behind you. Not one for the faint- hearted but great fun.
Beth 02.18.2013
I love Italian Wedding soup! We used sell it at a restaurant I worked at but it was very rarely that we did. I found it in a can at Hyvee or Dahls. Low fat and ughh yucky. I am thrilled to bits that I can now make it on my own. We are going to need it Thursday. Just hope the power doesn’t go out like the last blizzard because my stove is electric.
vbrunmeier@sbcglobal.net 02.17.2013
I love going out to breakfast too! Now that our boys are older, my husband and I have a tradition of going out every Sunday morning. I look forward to it every week :)
Love the soup and that chicken, wow. Amazing!
erin @hooleywithaz 02.17.2013
i had no idea that HyVee had a restaurant until earlier this year. that still kills me! and this italian wedding soup looks amazing. it’s my favorite kind, i will have to try this.
Lauren 02.17.2013
Thanks for posting info on your juicer! I bought it a few weeks ago and am loving it. Wondering if you have any tips on using it to juice spinach? Seems to only give me a tiny bit of juice. Any suggestions would be great – thanks!
Iowa Girl Eats 02.18.2013
I usually throw it into the shoot with a couple hunks of carrot or something else that’s firm, like a beet. I find it helps keep the spinach from just flinging out the waste end!
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise 02.17.2013
Hy-Vee breakfast is my dad’s favorite. I also think that the Hy-Vee cafe in my home town is the place where all of the parents of my high school friend hang out. It looks like your mom is quite the cook! That salad she made looks amazing. Have a great Sunday!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 02.17.2013
Your mom’s chicken looks great. Makes me wish I ate chicken! Girls is very quirky. I find myself loving one episode and then feeling clueless in the next. It’s a nice change from the norm though.
I have never heard of HyVee, is I like Denny’s?
Iowa Girl Eats 02.17.2013
It’s a grocery store!
Kate Bentley 02.17.2013
Wow could you post your moms recipe too, it looked amazing!
Iowa Girl Eats 02.17.2013
Here you go! The link was kind of buried in the post: http://simplygluten-free.com/blog/2011/04/pistachio-crusted-quick-greek-chicken.html
Kirbie 02.17.2013
I love my Jack juicer! I think I might try kale in this soup too! Thanks for sharing.
Amanda 02.17.2013
Yum! I had forgotten how much I enjoy this soup. I’ll be making a vegetarian version soon. :)
Becky @ Olives n Wine 02.17.2013
Your niece is the cutest little girl, ever! OMG, the pink polka dots are killin’ me :) Anyways, I hope the soup keeps you warm if you do get a snow storm! I love the mini meatballs and that this is super healthy. YUM!
Rose Ann 02.17.2013
This looks great, I make mine with escarole and unfortunately my grocery store doesn’t sell pre made mini meatballs! So I will have to stick to making my own but I will have to try your recipe…I’ve said it before but thank you again for all the amazing recipes!!!!
debtgirl 02.17.2013
What a lovely post! Your mom certainly did out do herself, please share that recipe. I am so tired of my tired grilled chicken.
Those kids are adorable!
Iowa Girl Eats 02.17.2013
The link was kind of buried in the post. Here you go! http://simplygluten-free.com/blog/2011/04/pistachio-crusted-quick-greek-chicken.html
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 02.17.2013
Hsve you ever tried the smothered hashbrowns at Hy-Vee? Essentially they are “smothered” with delicious melted cheese. They are definitely super unhealthy, but VERY tasty!