Crafting Hearty Italian Wedding Soup: A Step-By-Step Guide

Italian wedding soup is a hearty meal in itself, with meatballs, vegetables, pasta, and a rich broth. The name comes from the Italian phrase minestra maritata, which means married soup, referring to the marriage of flavours. The soup is simple to make, and can be prepared on a stovetop, in a Crock Pot, or an Instant Pot. The ingredients are easy to source, and the soup can be made in bulk and frozen. The most time-consuming part of the process is making the meatballs, which need to be small—about 3/4 inch in diameter. The soup is best served with crusty, airy bread.

Meatballs: Combine beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, and onion powder. Shape into small balls

Meatballs:

The meatballs are a key component of Italian wedding soup, and they're easy to make! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients:

• Ground beef: This is the base of your meatballs. You can also use a combination of ground beef and mild Italian sausage, or ground turkey for a leaner option.
• Egg: This helps bind the meatballs together, giving them structure, and making them tender.
• Breadcrumbs: Use fresh breadcrumbs for better flavour and texture. Italian seasoned breadcrumbs add extra flavour to the mix.
• Parmesan: Grated Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty flavour to the meatballs.
• Basil: Dried basil is a classic herb to use, but you can also use fresh herbs like oregano or parsley for added flavour.
• Onion Powder: This adds savoury flavour to the meatballs and enhances the savoury notes in the soup.

Method:

• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl: Add the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, and onion powder to a large mixing bowl. You can also add some salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix and shape the meatballs: Gently mix the ingredients until they are well combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can make the meatballs tough. Shape the mixture into small balls, about 3/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter.
• Brown the meatballs (optional): Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until they are browned on all sides. This step is optional but adds flavour and colour to your meatballs.
• Set aside: Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Your meatballs are now ready to be added to your Italian wedding soup! Remember to keep the portions small, as this is soup, not a pasta dish. Enjoy the process of making these juicy, flavourful meatballs!

Broth: Use chicken broth, or another type of broth

The broth is a key component of Italian wedding soup, and while the soup typically calls for chicken broth, you can also use other types of broth to achieve a slightly different flavour profile.

Chicken broth is a versatile and popular choice for Italian wedding soup, providing a rich and hearty base for the soup. It pairs well with the other ingredients, such as the meatballs, vegetables, and pasta, enhancing their flavours without overpowering them. Chicken broth is also readily available in most grocery stores, making it a convenient option.

However, you can also experiment with different types of broth to add unique flavours to your soup. For example, beef broth can add a deeper, more robust taste to the dish. If you want to keep the soup light and fresh-tasting, you could try using vegetable broth, which will let the other ingredients shine through while still providing a nutritious base.

When selecting a broth, consider the overall flavour profile you want to achieve. If you prefer a milder taste, chicken or vegetable broth might be ideal. For a heartier, more robust soup, beef or chicken broth could be a better option. You can also mix different types of broth to create a unique blend that complements the other ingredients in your Italian wedding soup.

Additionally, you can make your own broth from scratch, allowing you to control the ingredients and tailor the flavour to your preferences. This can be a great option if you want to avoid store-bought broths, which may contain preservatives or added sodium. Making your own broth lets you customise the flavour, ensuring it perfectly suits your taste preferences and the other ingredients in your Italian wedding soup.

Vegetables: Include escarole and carrots. You can also add onions or celery

Vegetables are a key component of Italian wedding soup, with escarole and carrots forming the base of the dish. Escarole is a type of bitter green that can be substituted with spinach, kale, endive, or chard. Carrots, meanwhile, provide a sweet and colourful contrast to the other ingredients.

Onions and celery are also commonly added to Italian wedding soup. Onions provide a savoury base note to the soup, while celery adds a subtle earthy flavour. These vegetables are typically cooked until softened, which takes around 4 to 8 minutes.

In addition to the vegetables listed above, some recipes for Italian wedding soup may include other ingredients such as garlic, parsley, or zucchini.

Pasta: Use orzo, or another small pasta

When it comes to pasta, Italian wedding soup typically calls for small pasta shapes such as orzo, acini di pepe, ditalini, or pearl couscous. These tiny pasta shapes set this soup apart from others and ensure you get some in every bite.

If you can't find pearl couscous, any short pasta will work. Avoid regular couscous, as it will absorb too much liquid. You can also use other small pasta shapes like mini shells or even substitute rice.

It's recommended to cook the pasta separately and add it directly to the serving bowls with the soup ladled on top. This ensures the pasta doesn't absorb all the broth during storage if you have leftovers.

If you don't anticipate leftovers, you can cook the pasta directly in the soup or add the cooked pasta to the pot of soup.

Flavour Enhancers: Add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or mustard powder

To make Italian wedding soup, you can add flavour enhancers like hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or mustard powder. These ingredients can be added to taste and won't be detectable in the final dish, but they will elevate the other flavours in the soup.

Hot sauce is made from chilli peppers, fruit, vegetables, and various sweeteners and spices. It is a great way to add heat to your dish. You can make your own hot sauce or use a store-bought variety like Frank's Hot Sauce.

Worcestershire sauce is a fermented condiment made from vinegar, anchovies, molasses, tamarind, onion, garlic, and other seasonings. It is a great addition to marinades and works well with meat, fish, and vegetables.

Mustard powder is made from ground mustard seeds and turmeric. It has a strong, sharp, and hot flavour when mixed with liquid. Mustard powder is a versatile ingredient that can be used in dry rubs, sauces, marinades, and as a seasoning for meat and fish. It also works well with creamy or fatty ingredients, enhancing the overall flavour of the dish.

When adding these flavour enhancers to your Italian wedding soup, follow the recipe's instructions: "They can be added when the Italian seasoning is added."

Frequently asked questions