This Italian Wedding soup is an easy soup recipe filled with juicy homemade mini meatballs, carrots, onions, small pasta or couscous, and kale in a flavorful chicken broth. One bowl of this comforting soup warms me from the inside out!
In a large bowl, add the egg and milk and whisk together well.
1 large egg, ¼ cup milk
Next, add in the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix together well.
½ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Add the ground beef and pork into the mixture and gently stir to combine.
8 ounces ground beef, 8 ounces ground pork
Coat a baking sheet with olive oil (and your hands as well so they meat mixture doesn't stick).
2 tablespoons olive oil
Using a spoon or cooking scoop, scoop a tablespoon of the mixture and roll into smooth balls. place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for 12-15 minutes until they are almost fully cooked.
Make the Soup
Add the olive oil to a large soup pot or dutch oven and heat over medium heat for one minute.
2 tablespoons olive oil
Add in the diced carrots and onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
1 cup carrots, ½ cup onion
Then add the minced garlic and cook it for an additional minute.
2 cloves garlic
Add in the chicken broth and stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot to remove any browned veggies.
6 cups chicken broth
Bring to a boil, add in the pasta and cook for 3 minutes.
1 cup Acini de Pepe
Then add the meatballs back into the soup along with the kale and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.
2 cups tuscan kale
Enjoy topped with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Use frozen meatballs for quicker prep if desired. Use any meat you prefer. Use all ground beef or all ground chicken or ground turkey or a combination of meatsAlthough Acini de Pepe is the traditional pasta used in Italian Wedding Soup, swap it for ditalini or orzo pasta too.Swap the tuscan kale for regular kale, spinach or escarole.Use any milk of choice.Leave out the red pepper flakes if desired.