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Creamy Italian Wedding Soup Recipe with Mini Meatballs Easy and Cozy

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A comforting and easy-to-make creamy Italian wedding soup featuring mini meatballs, tender greens, and orzo pasta in a luscious Parmesan and milk broth. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) pre-made Italian-style mini meatballs
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups (about 90 g) fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup (90 g) orzo pasta
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano and basil)

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into small, even pieces (about 1/4 inch). Mince the garlic finely.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until translucent but not browned.
  3. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth and stir in dried Italian seasoning. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil.
  4. Add mini meatballs carefully to the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes until meatballs are heated through.
  5. Add 1/2 cup orzo pasta directly to the simmering soup. Stir occasionally to prevent clumping. Cook for 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender but still firm.
  6. Stir in 3 cups fresh baby spinach and cook for about 2 minutes until wilted.
  7. Lower heat to medium-low. Slowly stir in 1/2 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to melt cheese smoothly into the broth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Let soup simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes without boiling to marry flavors and thicken broth slightly.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and optionally sprinkle extra Parmesan or fresh herbs like chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Avoid overcooking the orzo to keep it al dente. Stir cheese in slowly over low heat to prevent curdling. If soup thickens after resting, add broth or water when reheating. For vegetarian version, substitute meatballs with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based meatballs and use vegetable broth. Milk can be swapped with dairy-free alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian wedding soup, creamy soup, mini meatballs, comfort food, easy soup recipe, orzo soup, spinach soup, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/creamy-italian-wedding-soup-recipe-with-mini-meatballs-easy-and-cozy/