Late in October, the roasting Florida temperatures ever so slowly begin to creep down a few degrees. Not by much—while we watched snow falling on the news the other day, we cheered because it would be in the upper 60s for the morning bus stop walk—but it’s enough of an excuse for me to crave a steaming bowl of comfort.
I would eat Italian wedding soup every single day for lunch if I could. Actually, for years, I kinda did. Don’t lash me with a wet noodle, but I helped keep Progresso in business with my rations of their canned soup. I know, I know. . . high in sodium, preservatives, and mega-processed. . . but it was easy, relatively low-cal, and yes, yummy. (Except for the one time I opened a can, and it contained no meatballs. NO MEATBALLS. Yes, I wrote the company. That’s like getting a twinkie with no cream. The horror.)
It was time to stop being lazy and make my own. My son had a sore throat, and nothing makes you feel better than a pot of homemade soup. And I’ll use any excuse to break out my grandmother’s vintage Cousances pot. It’s just so dang pretty and steeped in history. If pots could talk…
The result was a total win. I’m never going back to canned soup. Well, once I run through all the cans in my pantry. Shhhhh!
This is a hearty soup fit for a meal, not a thin little side dish or starter. No wimpy can of chicken noodle consistency, where there’s more broth than bite. My family says I don’t make soup, I make stoup (I think we stole that from Rachael Ray?).
I had a Costco-sized bag of pearl couscous. It’s the same shape as the cute acini de pepe pasta, and I had a ton (okay, just a few pounds), so into the soup it went.
I also am a firm believer that zucchini can go in just about anything. Seriously—sometimes it shows up in fajitas, quesadillas, and spaghetti sauces—tossing some in soup is a given. Beans follow the same rule. Extra fiber and veggies for everyone! Toss them in!
Italian Wedding Soup {with mini turkey meatballs}
Serves 8
Ingredients:
Soup ingredients:
1-2 tbsp olive oil
2/3 cup carrots, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 can cannellini or great northern beans
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/4 cup white wine (optional)
8 cups chicken broth
6oz baby spinach, chopped
1 1/2 cups pearl couscous or small pasta
Parmesan or Romano cheese for serving
Meatball ingredients:
1lb ground turkey
2 tbsp milk
1 egg
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic pepper pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat olive oil. Add carrots and onions; saute for 5-8 minutes or until softened. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes more.
- Add wine; cook down for 2 minutes. Add broth, heat to slow boil.
- Add zucchini, seasonings, pasta/couscous, and meatballs**. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until your pasta is tender.
- Add chopped spinach, stir through until wilted, about 2-4 minutes.
- Once in individual bowls, sprinkle with cheese (optional, but who doesn’t like cheese?)
*Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with non-stick aluminum foil (the best invention ever) or regular foil and coat with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients well. Using a rounded 1 tbsp measuring spoon or small melon baller, scoop out meat; shape into small balls. Makes roughly 100-120 meatballs, depending on how small you make them.
- Place meatballs on baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch. Bake for 10 minutes.
I made the meatballs earlier in the day (they take about a half-hour, but I was slightly distracted by House Hunters International to note the exact amount of prep time.) You can make them while the soup cooks. It’s soup—it can simmer for a long time.
**You can cook the meatballs in the soup. Drop them in one at a time, and they will cook in about 10-15 minutes. I prefer to cook them separate because I don’t want the extra fat and didn’t want to risk undercooked meat.
Now, go make a pot. You won’t be sorry 😉
Cheers!
Need some more delicious soup recipes? Check out these favorites:
Easy French Onion Soup
Curry and Wild Rice Soup (vegan)
Great job on the soup, it looks very good. I love Italian Wedding soup but have not had any in quite a while.
This is really good soup! I’ve made it a few times now with great response from family. I made it vegan by using vegan meatballs instead the meatball recipe provided and it’s still great. I wholeheartedly recommend this recipe!
This is the perfect soup for a cold day.
I don’t think I’ve ever had this soup, but it looks really good! It sounds easy enough, even the meatballs.
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That looks so good. Beautiful photos! This is perfect for the season, especially for a sick day.
Joy Weese Moll (@joyweesemoll) recently posted…Book Review: Relish by Lucy Knisley
I made a big batch of Italian Wedding Soup last weekend and we ate it for days. I love your recipe, I’m going to give it a try.
Diane (bookchickdi) recently posted…Weekend Cooking- Preparing for Thanksgiving
I don’t know why I’ve hardly ever had Italian Wedding Soup. I think because I don’t like the meatballs that come in canned soup, maybe, or just because I didn’t grow up having it. It certainly looks and sounds delicious!!!
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oh yes, this is one soup I could eat again and again. Last time I made it I accidently put in twice as many meatballs. it was almost like stew.
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I love Italian Wedding Soup but I am the only one in my family that does, so I usually end up only eating it when I am out somewhere. Yours looks very good!
One of my favorite soups! I love your additions. And now I’m going to have to make it soon. We had our first snow this weekend!
I was out of town until today, which is why I couldn’t comment over the weekend.
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Hi! Your Italian wedding soup has been nominated as one of the “Best Italian Wedding Soup Recipes on the Net”. To vote for it please visit http://easyitalianrecipes.org/soup-recipes/best-italian-wedding-soup-recipes-on-the-net-vote-for-your-favorite/ (your recipe is positioned at #17).
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Just wanted to let you know tha this soup is a huge hit in my family. It’s my husband’s absolute favorite soup..maybe even his favorite dinner ! Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe, this soup will continue to find it’s way to our table time and time again.
Awesome! So glad you and your family loved it!
This sounds delicious! Any way I can throw this in the crockpot instead of cooking it stove top?
I don’t see why not. I’m planning to try it in the crock pot in a few weeks when it cools off a bit more. (Still 85 out today here in Florida!) Thanks for visiting!
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I don’t see where it says to add the cannellini beans. Also, do you drain them before adding?
Great recipes! I’m glad that I found your blog, I included this Italian soup in my recent wedding event. Thanks for the inspiration.
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I just wanted to tell you I made this today and it was good. The only thing is next time I’ll leave out the beans they soaked up a lot of the liquid and left the soup too thick. I followed the recipe.
My husband and I loved the soup! next time I make it I will cut back on the couscous to 1 cup. Thanks for the great recipe!
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This has become a go to soup for us. I love it and don’t mind that it is a bit labor intensive with the meatballs. Thanks for sharing!
Jan. 25, 2015 Made this soup yesterday and loved it. I agree, I’d leave the beans out next time. I added
half a can of petit diced tomatoes and a stalk of celery diced. Halved the meatball recipe
and had ample for that amount of broth. Cooked the ditalini separately and put it into the
bowls before I serve. Otherwise it absorbs the liquid. Labor intensive, but I’ll make it often.
YUM!
I live in florida too, but doesn’t stop me from eating soup….love the Italian wedding soup, and going to try the french onion tonight! Thanks!!
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Love that the turkey meatballs are mini – easier to eat and not overpowering the rest of the soup. This recipe will definitely please any palate! Yum!
Meatballs should be 1 tsp not tbsp. Other than that DELICIOUS!
my seven year old grandson liked it so much, he asked for this soup for his birthday instead of a birthday cake….so i gave him his wish, many compliments
Excellent soup, and easy to make! Thank you!
Your soup was delicious & a whole lot easier & quicker than some Italian wedding soups out there. I added the rind from the Parmesan cheese to the soup. I also added minced fresh parsley to the turkey ball mixture. It really tuned out great. Thanks Kerry Ann.