Slow-Cooked Comfort: Italian Wedding Soup Perfection

Italian Wedding Soup is a hearty, flavourful dish that combines meatballs, pasta, vegetables, and broth. This soup is not actually served at weddings, but its name is derived from an Italian phrase meaning married soup, reflecting how well the flavours come together. This soup can be made on the stove, in an Instant Pot, or in a slow cooker. This introduction will focus on the slow cooker method.

Prepping the meatballs

The first step in making Italian wedding soup in a slow cooker is preparing the meatballs. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Ingredients

For the meatballs, you will need the following ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Italian breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• Garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• Onion, diced
• Carrots, diced
• Celery, diced

Combining the Meatball Ingredients

Gently combine all the meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Be careful not to overwork the meat. The key is to mix just enough to incorporate all the ingredients evenly. You can use your hands or a wooden spoon for this step.

Shaping the Meatballs

Once the mixture is ready, it's time to shape them into meatballs. Roll the meat mixture into small balls, about 3/4 inch in diameter. This size ensures they are easy to eat in the soup. If you prefer, you can go for an even smaller size, such as 1/2 inch meatballs. Place the shaped meatballs on a plate or baking sheet as you go.

Cooking the Meatballs

There are a few methods you can use to cook the meatballs:

• Baking: Preheat your oven to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
• Pan-frying: Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches, flipping them as needed, until they are browned and cooked through.
• Slow cooker: If you are adding the meatballs directly to your slow cooker, there is no need to pre-cook them. They will cook along with the other ingredients. However, some recipes suggest browning the meatballs first to add flavour to the soup.

Draining the Meatballs

If you baked or pan-fried the meatballs, it is a good idea to blot them with a paper towel to remove any excess grease. This will help keep your soup broth from becoming too oily.

Adding Meatballs to the Slow Cooker

Now, it's time to add the meatballs to your slow cooker. If you are using the slow cooker to cook the meatballs, combine them with the other soup ingredients, such as broth, vegetables, and seasonings. If you pre-cooked the meatballs, add them towards the end of the cooking process, usually in the last hour or 30 minutes.

Remember, the key to delicious meatballs is to handle the meat mixture gently and not overwork it. Also, don't be afraid to make the meatballs smaller than you might typically prepare them. This ensures they are the perfect size for enjoying in a comforting bowl of Italian wedding soup.

Making the soup base

To make the soup base, you will need a selection of vegetables, including onions, carrots, and celery. These vegetables will be cooked until softened, creating a flavourful base for the soup. Finely chop one medium yellow onion, two medium carrots, and two ribs of celery. You can also add some minced garlic to enhance the flavour—around two to three cloves should be enough.

Next, you'll want to choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil or avocado oil. Heat about two tablespoons of oil in a skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and cook until they are softened. This usually takes around 4–6 minutes. You may need to add a splash more oil during cooking to prevent sticking.

At this point, you can also add some Italian seasoning to enhance the flavour of the soup base. About two teaspoons should be enough. You can also add some salt and pepper to taste. Cook this mixture for another minute, stirring occasionally, to release the flavours.

Now it's time to add the broth. For Italian wedding soup, chicken broth is a good choice, but you can also use beef or vegetable broth if you prefer. Add about eight cups of broth to the pot and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let the broth simmer.

That's it! You've now created a delicious soup base for your Italian wedding soup. Remember to stir the mixture occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Now you can move on to adding the meatballs, pasta, and spinach to complete your slow cooker Italian wedding soup!

Adding the meatballs and pasta

If you are making your own meatballs, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and bake in the oven for around 15 minutes, or cook in a skillet until browned. You can also use frozen meatballs, which are a great time-saver. If you are using frozen meatballs, you may want to brown them first to add colour and texture and create "fond" (brown remnants) that will add flavour to the soup.

Add the meatballs to the slow cooker for the final 20-30 minutes of cooking time, along with the pasta. If you are using spinach, this can also be added at the end, and cooked until wilted.

If you are making this soup in advance, it is best to cook the pasta separately and add it to the soup when serving, as the pasta will absorb the broth if it sits in the soup for too long.

Adding the spinach

Fresh spinach is recommended, but frozen spinach can be used if necessary. If using frozen spinach, it should be allowed to thaw and be patted dry before being added to the soup.

Once the spinach has been added, the soup is ready to serve. It should be ladled into bowls and can be garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

The spinach will cook quickly, so it is important to keep an eye on it. It should be cooked until it is wilted, which will only take around 2 minutes.

Serving suggestions

This soup is best served immediately after cooking, as the pasta will continue to absorb the broth and the soup will thicken. It's a great option for a busy day, with minimal prep work.

Italian Wedding Soup is a hearty meal in itself, but it can be served with a side of crusty bread for dipping, or a green salad or sandwich. A loaf of fresh bread or a baguette would be a delicious accompaniment, and you could also serve it with garlic bread or dinner rolls.

If you want to make this a more substantial meal, you could serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich, a cucumber sandwich, a tomato sandwich, or even simple buttered toast.

For a full Italian feast, why not try serving this soup as a starter, followed by a main course of Tortellini Meatball Soup, Enchilada Meatball Pasta Bake, or Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole?

Frequently asked questions