Savory Italian Wedding Soup with Chicken Meatballs
This delightful Italian Wedding Soup, adapted from the renowned Barefoot Contessa, features tender chicken meatballs swimming in a rich and flavorful broth filled with fresh vegetables and vibrant herbs. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe offers the perfect balance of savory flavors, warmth, and nutrition. By preparing extra meatballs and freezing them, you can enjoy a quick and satisfying meal later on, making this a fantastic addition to your culinary repertoire. This heartwarming dish is not only comforting but also packed with wholesome ingredients, making it a suitable choice for family gatherings or a fulfilling weeknight dinner.
8
Servings
170
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Chicken
3/4 lb (ground)
Chicken Sausage
1/2 lb (casings removed)
Fresh White Breadcrumbs
2/3 cup (fresh)
Minced Garlic
2 teaspoons (minced (about 2 cloves))
Chopped Fresh Parsley
3 tablespoons (fresh leaves)
Pecorino Romano Cheese
1/4 cup (freshly grated)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (freshly grated, plus more for serving)
Milk
3 tablespoons
Extra-Large Egg
1 (lightly beaten)
Kosher Salt
to taste
Black Pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons
Minced Yellow Onion
1 cup (minced)
Diced Carrot
1 cup (about 3 carrots)
Diced Celery
3/4 cup (about 2 stalks)
Chicken Stock
10 cups
Dry White Wine
1/2 cup
Small Shell Pasta
1 cup
Minced Fresh Dill
1/4 cup (fresh)
Baby Spinach
12 ounces (washed and trimmed)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, chicken sausage, fresh breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Pecorino Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, milk, beaten egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Use a fork to mix gently until just combined.
3
Using a teaspoon or small portion scoop, form the mixture into meatballs, each about 1 to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You should yield approximately 40 meatballs.
4
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned. Once done, set them aside.
5
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the soup broth: heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add minced yellow onion, diced carrots, and diced celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes until they soften.
6
Pour in the chicken stock and dry white wine. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
7
Once boiling, add the small shell pasta to the simmering broth, cooking for about 6 to 8 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
8
Stir in the minced fresh dill and the baked meatballs, simmering for an additional 1 minute to heat through.
9
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
10
Finally, stir in the washed baby spinach, cooking just until wilted, about 1 minute.
11
Ladle the soup into bowls, garnishing each serving with additional grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Nutrition Information
6.5g
Fat
17.3g
Carbs
13.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of this Savory Italian Wedding Soup recipe?
This recipe is an adaptation of the version by the renowned Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.
What meats are used to make the meatballs?
The meatballs are made using a combination of 3/4 lb of ground chicken and 1/2 lb of chicken sausage with the casings removed.
How many meatballs does this recipe make?
The recipe yields approximately 40 meatballs when formed into 1 to 1 1/4 inch diameters.
At what temperature should I bake the meatballs?
The meatballs should be baked in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C).
How long do the chicken meatballs need to cook in the oven?
The meatballs should be baked for 30 minutes or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.
Can I freeze the meatballs for later use?
Yes, you can prepare extra meatballs and freeze them to enjoy a quick and satisfying meal at a later time.
What type of breadcrumbs are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of fresh white breadcrumbs to achieve the proper texture.
What kind of cheeses are included in the meatball mixture?
The mixture uses both freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese and Parmesan cheese.
What liquid ingredients are added to the meatball mix?
The meatball mixture includes 3 tablespoons of milk and one lightly beaten extra-large egg.
Which vegetables are sautéed for the soup base?
The base consists of minced yellow onion, diced carrots, and diced celery sautéed in olive oil.
How much chicken stock is required for the soup?
You will need 10 cups of chicken stock to prepare the broth.
Is there wine in the Italian Wedding Soup?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/2 cup of dry white wine to enhance the flavor of the broth.
What type of pasta is recommended for this soup?
Small shell pasta is recommended for this specific recipe.
How long should the pasta be cooked?
The small shell pasta should be simmered in the broth for about 6 to 8 minutes until it is al dente.
When do I add the fresh dill?
Stir in the minced fresh dill along with the baked meatballs after the pasta has finished cooking.
What type of greens are used in this soup?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of washed and trimmed baby spinach.
How long does it take for the spinach to cook?
The baby spinach only needs to be stirred in for about 1 minute until it is just wilted.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
How many calories are in one serving of this soup?
There are approximately 170 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 6.5g of fat.
How much protein is in a serving of Italian Wedding Soup?
One serving provides about 13.4g of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 17.3g of carbohydrates in each serving.
How should the soup be garnished?
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Is this soup considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is packed with wholesome ingredients like fresh vegetables, lean chicken, and spinach, making it a nutritious choice.
What kind of garlic preparation is needed?
You will need 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, which is approximately 2 cloves.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried herbs?
The recipe emphasizes fresh herbs, specifically chopped fresh parsley and minced fresh dill.
Can I use regular salt instead of Kosher salt?
The recipe calls for Kosher salt to taste, but you can adjust seasoning with what you have on hand.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, particularly if the meatballs are prepared or frozen in advance, it makes for a quick and fulfilling dinner.
What should the consistency of the meatball mixture be?
The mixture should be combined gently using a fork until just mixed to ensure the meatballs remain tender.
Should the meatballs be browned in a pan or the oven?
In this recipe, the meatballs are baked in the oven on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper for ease and consistency.