Italian Wedding Soup With Turkey Meatballs Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

maryanne

Lowered a steamer basket into the broth and cooked the pasta. Drained it and set aside with a splash of olive oil to keep from sticking and a sprinkle of dill. Then proceeded w adding the meatballs to the broth and finishing w spinach and lemon. Added the pasta to soup bowls and poured soup over pasta at the table. Fun presentation and keeps pasta from getting soggy in the soup.

RB

Made it exactly as written plus two cans of cannellini beans. Used fresh basil, lemon wedge and fresh Parmesan to finish per the recipe. Delicious.

Carol Holland

My kids called this seaweed soup and loved it when I made it from scratch. Easy version : low salt chicken broth from supermarket, Trader Joe's frozen precooked Italian meatballs halved or quartered, fresh or frozen baby spinach or other greens, pasta, grated Italian cheese. Add lemon, herbs, olive oil if desired. Fast and delicious.

Rose

This was excellent! The lemon made this soup! I do prefer smaller meatballs. Knowing that, I made 30 and next time I will reduce the size and increase the number to 60&/-. For me, the meatballs in wedding soup should be small bites.I highly recommend this soup! Start with a good stock and you’re all set. Mangia!

Monicat

My grandmother made "meatball soup." From what I understand, wedding soup is not so named because it is served at Italian weddings, but because the flavors of stock and bitter greens "marry" well to produce a harmony of flavors. "Minestra Maritata"Grandma's recipe uses mini beef meatballs, dropped raw into the pot of broth and greens on hand - romaine, escarole, kale - usually not spinach.Freeze batches of minis raw on sheet trays and then in zip bags for later use for soup in a flash.

Gwen

Per post by Mitch Weiser:Giada De Laurentis Meat Balls:2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs3 tablespoons whole milk, at room temperature1 large egg, at room temperature1/2 teaspoon dried oregano1/4 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano1/2 pound ground sirloin or ground dark meat turkeyolive oil for frying+ 2 cans cannellini4 garlicred pepper flakesorzo

Randy

Agree. Silicone mats are OK up to 425-450 degrees but higher heat will do permanent damage to them. Household broilers operate between 550 and 650 degrees. Aluminum foil would be the better option.I find it simpler and faster to saute the meatballs in a skillet until browned, (just shake the pan to brown all over) and then add them to the soup minus the grease.

Stacey

I do not understand why people totally alter the recipe and then give it bad reviews.

Elizabeth Cooks

Nearly perfect soup. Our recommendations: make smaller meatballs (size of walnuts with yield of 38-40), cut down broth by 4 cups, add the dill, the lemon's zest AND juice to the soup. We did add the minced onion to the meatballs, and nickel-slices of carrots to the broth before adding the meatballs and spinach. We did use the orzo, but before I serve the leftovers, I'm going to cook up some farfalline and add it. I'd prefer a bit more pasta presence, I think. Fabulous!

Mitch Weiser

Made the Meatballs in the style of Giada De Laurentis from her sarto di riso recipe (the best meatballs IMHO). Used baby spinach and basil. Orzo for the pasta. Added 2 cups cannellini beans, 4 cloves garlic, and red pepper flakes. Came out great! Definitely going to add to the rotation and make again.

James

One of the most delicious things I've cooked in a while. This was perfect. I roasted my chicken bones for half an hour at 450, and it produced the richest, roundest stock I've ever made. After that, the rest kind of took care of itself. Great meal. Oh, one other thing: my son is allergic to eggs, so I used 1/4 C whole milk ricotta to bind the meatballs. Worked just as well.

Mike D in NC

I had some extra time and the ingredients on hand so I started this by sweating two onions, some grated carrot and celery. I added a can of great northern beans, a few handfuls of chopped kale and used some Butterball Turkey Meatballs I had in the freezer. Wow, for so little prep and not a lot of stovetop attention, this was simply out of the park good. A good grate of parmesan cheese on top and some crusty bread and dinner is served (and lunch tomorrow!). A keeper.

MD

Lowered a steamer basket into the broth and cooked the pasta. Drained it and set aside with a splash of olive oil to keep from sticking and a sprinkle of dill. Then proceeded w adding the meatballs to the broth and finishing w spinach and lemon. Added the pasta to soup bowls and poured soup over pasta at the table. Fun presentation and keeps pasta from getting soggy in the soup.

mjan

Great recipe, but making smaller meatballs (1-inch or even smaller) is more in keeping with the soup's history. And a quick saute of the meatballs in a little olive oil will get you a more uniform sear.

Lisa B

Followed the recipe as written but for doubling the spinach and using farfalline pasta. The meatballs were delicious. I plan on making a triple batch of the meatballs and freezing them. An easy weeknight meal.

Andy

The meatballs were delicious. Using turkey makes it easier than pork to make them tough, so watch that. But they were delicious. Browning them well and using plenty of garlic, I used some for my picky son to make a meatball grinder w/o telling him they were Turkey. He did not notice at all.I am on a diet, so I swapped the pasta w/ barley. Delicious. No-one said a word. I also added cannellini beans. Results were great. Definitely one I'll make again.

Kasey

Wish I'd made a double batch of meatballs to have some for now & another round later!

Lynne

This will definitely feed more than 4 people unless they have huge appetites- I went the extra step and added 3 stalks of celery and about 6 mini carrots chopped up small. I might try it with a lower sodium chicken broth next time. Used baby kale chopped. I loved it and so did the family.

scrumptious, perfect soul warming simply soup

Would recommend less orzo — it absorbs the broth and if you want leftovers, it continues to absorb till the grains are inflatedLeft the panko out of the meatballs by accident, still worked great. Don’t forgo the lemon zest, it elevates the dish If you add vegetables, add them five minutes after the pastaMake the meatballs significantly smaller than you think too— you don’t want to be cutting into meatballs with a spoon

D Lee

Delicious. Made with homemade broth (see NYT simple chicken broth). And aside from making very small meatballs (always my preference, made ~48) and keeping everything (orzo, meatballs) outside of the soup so that I can assemble and serve as needed, followed the recipe pretty accurately. My crowd loved the meatballs straight out of the oven and has now asked me to make them as appetizers, solo.

socalorie

Surprising how delicious and easy this is ....

Momosaurus

Delicious recipe! I cut the broth to 8 cups and it makes much more sense. Also added veggies. Will make again for sure!

LindaLea

Similar to what my Italian family made except that we used veal instead of turkey and escarole instead of spinach.

broth

8 cups instead of 12

Kal

This soup is curing my allergies. I did add onion to the turkey as it really isn't much extra work to grate up a small, white onion and the flavor it adds is worth the extra minute of effort. I also pan-seared my turkey meatballs but mostly because my broiling drawer is tiny. I think if I made it again I would add some big chunks of ginger to the broth while it is boiling. ALSO, add more pasta than 3/4 cups or decrease the broth. The ratio was off.

CP

Made with ground chicken and was delicious. Added onion, carrots, and celery to the broth.

Chin

This was really good! A lighter alternative to the traditional beef and pork meatballs but still delicious. I added diced carrots and onion. Made the meatballs the night before to save time

natalie

Delicious! I made this as directed, except for two small technique adjustments -- which I recommend. I split the meatballs between two cast iron pans (which wash up and hold up better than aluminum) and I baked rather than broiled (perhaps you also worry about your broiler?). Baked at 450/500 for about 5 min on each side and they browned up nicely. I'll definitely make this again!

flatiron, nyc❤️

My Italian grandmother made this soup on a regular basis. She made the soup with celery, carrots and onion. Greens were not added. Meatballs were dropped into the soup not baked or fried separately. Always delicious!

traci

Strong basic recipe, and I revised only slightly. Used pearl couscous because we had it, and my meatballs were supplemented by 1/2 cup grated/sauteed/cooled onion and mushroom mixture that was hanging out in the fridge waiting to be used. My broth came from Better Than.

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Italian Wedding Soup With Turkey Meatballs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my Italian wedding soup taste sour? ›

I always put the green things in for the last hour, because overcooking anything green can result in a sour taste. Let sit; the next morning, skim off all the fat.

What is another name for Italian wedding soup? ›

Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Italian wedding soup, known in Italian as minestra maritata, is a soup consisting mainly of green vegetables and meat in chicken broth. It is popular in the United States, where it is a staple in many Italian restaurants and diners.

What is the tradition of Italian wedding soup? ›

The phrase minestra maritata refers to the marriage of meat and vegetables, a matrimony of flavor rather than a celebration of nuptials between a husband and wife. The signature flavors of the soup are bitter vegetables wedded to meat, often, but not always pork.

What is the difference between minestrone and Italian wedding soup? ›

It's similar to minestrone, but is made with meatballs; minestrone is usually made from vegetables and pasta. Italian wedding soup is a phenomenal freezer-friendly soup, and it doesn't take long to make – a perfect project for a chilly afternoon!

How do you keep meatballs from falling apart in soup? ›

Add a lightly beaten egg, but not too much. Egg acts as a binder for the ingredients, but you only need a small amount. One small egg will do for one pound of minced meat. Alternatively, if you're following an egg-free diet, you could soak fresh bread in milk, squeezing out any excess milk, to use as a binder.

How do you make canned Italian wedding soup taste better? ›

Canned Italian wedding soup can be amped up with sausage.

Italian wedding soup consists of vegetables, meatballs, and small pasta noodles, so the sausage can add a nice kick of flavor. "I always add Sriracha and freshly grated parmesan to brighten it up," he added.

How do you thicken wedding soup? ›

Cornstarch. Cornstarch is a very effective thickener, and a little bit can go a long way. Add cornstarch to a small amount of cold water or other liquid (wine or stock) and whisk into a thick slurry. Then the slurry can be stirred into a simmering soup, a bit at a time to set the final consistency.

Why do you put vinegar in vegetable soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings.

What is the most famous soup in Italy? ›

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup known worldwide as one of the best Italian soups. It's got a flavorful broth and a variety of slow-cooked vegetables like potatoes, peas, and carrots. Adding Italian sausage gives it a kick of flavor and a shot of protein, so it's a complete meal all by itself.

Does Campbell's make Italian wedding soup? ›

Enjoy the familiar tastes of home with every spoonful of Campbell's® Homestyle Italian Wedding Soup. Made with meatballs, spinach, romano cheese and pasta in chicken broth, our hearty Italian-Style Wedding Soup is crafted with care to deliver a delicious homemade taste that's sure to warm your heart.

Does Progresso make Italian wedding soup? ›

Progresso Light Italian-Style Wedding canned soup has at least 33% fewer calories per serving than regular ready-to-serve soups*. Indulge in every bite of Italian wedding soup made with pork and turkey meatballs, carrots and spinach in a rich chicken broth.

Why is it called Saturday soup? ›

The tradition of preparing this soup every Saturday has become an integral part of the local culture, a culinary ritual that transcends any particular household. Regardless of which Jamaican home you visit on a Saturday, you can be assured of encountering a large pot simmering with the flavoursome Saturday soup.

What mineral is in Italian wedding soup? ›

Italian Wedding Soup nutrition facts and analysis per 1 cup (244 g)
Minerals
NutrientAmountDV
Iron1.76 mg10 %
Magnesium26.84 mg6 %
Phosphorus134.20 mg11 %
6 more rows

What is the name of the Italian wedding cake? ›

Millefoglie Wedding Cake: An Exquisite Tradition for Your Special Day. At the heart of Italian wedding confections stands the Millefoglie, a cake that is as delightful to taste as it is to behold.

What is Italian meatballs made of? ›

These classic Italian-American style meatballs are huge and pillowy soft! They're made with ground beef and pork, loaded with herbs and cheese, and served with a traditional tomato sauce.

What are Fontanini meatballs made of? ›

Made from select cuts of beef, pork and a blend of Italian spices, these meatballs are versatile enough to add anywhere on the menu.

What are Sicilian meatballs made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds of your favorite ground meat, or combination of. This may include beef, veal, and/or pork.
  • 2 ½ cups of bread crumbs.
  • 1 cup of milk.
  • 1 ¼ cup Parmigiano and Romano cheeses.
  • Freshly chopped parsley.
  • 2 minced garlic cloves.
  • 2 lightly beaten eggs.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil.

What's the difference between Italian style meatballs and regular meatballs? ›

Italian-style meatballs often include additional ingredients such as milk, olive oil, ground pork, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and sometimes a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork [2].

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