Home American Grandma’s Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Grandma’s Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Name: Grandma’s Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Ingredients: 2 Heads escarole; 1 onion sliced lengthwise then cut in half; 2 Cloves garlic; 1 carrot (optional); 1 Stalk celery (optional); 8 Cups chicken broth (vegetable for vegetarian option); 15 Oz can tomatoes; 1 Tbs dried basil; 1 Tsp oregano; 1/2 Tsp thyme; 1/2 Tsp salt and pepper or to taste; 1/4 Pound ditalini, or other soup pasta; 1.5 Pound ground turkey or chicken (or plant based meat for vegetarian option); 1/3 Cup pecorino Romano ( for vegetarian option substitute with ricotta and toast the bread with olive oil and Italian seasonings); 1 Small onion finely diced; 2 Cloves garlic ( 1 if large clove ); 2 Slices white or whole wheat bread; 1/2 Cup milk; 1 egg (discard for vegetarian option); 1/2 Tsp salt and pepper or to taste; 1/4 Cup fresh parsley chopped

Joe and Susie

March 16, 2025

5.0 from 3 votes

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The secret is out! We are sharing Grandma’s treasured Italian Wedding Soup recipe – the real deal. This easy soup is perfect for a delicious and comforting weeknight meal.

Craving comfort? Experience the warmth of tradition with The Fifties Fight Club‘s Italian Wedding Soup. We’re sharing Grandma’s original recipe, featuring savory homemade meatballs and a deeply flavorful broth. This comforting soup is a simple, satisfying meal that will bring joy to your table.

What is Italian Wedding Soup?

The Americanized version of Italian Wedding Soup is a beloved classic, featuring a flavorful broth, nutritious greens like escarole, and petite meatballs. But its journey began elsewhere. As with many dishes that have crossed oceans, the soup evolved over time, taking on a distinct American identity while retaining its Italian roots.

What are the origins of Italian wedding soup?

Italian Wedding Soup, or minestra maritata as it’s known in its native Southern and Central Italy, has a fascinating history. The literal translation, “married soup,” refers to the harmonious blending of flavors, not a wedding celebration. This misinterpretation was likely due to “wedding soup” possessing a catchier name compared to “married soup” which helped lead to the soups popularity in the United States. The original minestra maritata is a testament to resourceful peasant cooking, where leftover meats, often sausage or salami, were combined with abundant bitter greens like dandelion, chicory, endive, or escarole. This “marriage” of bitter and savory ingredients created a satisfying and nourishing dish.

Upon its arrival in the United States, Italian Wedding Soup underwent a transformation, evolving into the familiar dish we know today. The resourceful use of leftover meats, common in the original minestra maritata, gave way to freshly made meatballs, reflecting the increased availability of meat in America. Similarly, escarole, or sometimes spinach, became the preferred greens. Finally, the addition of small soup pasta, typically ditalini, completed the Americanization of this classic soup.

Is Italian Wedding soup Healthy?

Soup is generally a healthy meal choice, and Italian Wedding Soup is no exception. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables and greens into your diet. Escarole, a key ingredient, is packed with nutrients and fiber, all while being low in calories. When prepared with lean proteins like ground chicken or turkey for the meatballs, Italian Wedding Soup becomes a truly nutritious and family-friendly meal.

Each serving packs in 22 grams of protein and more than the daily requirements for vitamin A and vitamin K. It is also loaded with minerals and vitamins with only 214 calories and 5 grams of fat! Italian wedding soup is a delicious and easy way to improve your overall diet, offering a delectable blend of flavor and health benefits. Yes, our Italian wedding soup recipe is healthy!

Nutritional summary Italian wedding soup — Nutritional summary for Italian wedding soup. It’s a low calorie and low fat meal that is loaded with minerals, vitamins and protein.

What about canned escarole soup?

While canned Italian Wedding Soup might seem like a convenient option, we haven’t found a brand we can wholeheartedly recommend. If time is a concern, consider making a large batch of our homemade soup over the weekend or whenever you have an extra hour. Leftover soup actually enhances the flavors and often tastes better! Another time-saving tip is to prepare a double or triple batch of meatball mixture. With pre-made meatballs, the soup comes together even faster. In our experience, homemade Italian Wedding Soup is not only more delicious but also a far healthier choice than any canned variety.

Can I use store bought frozen meatballs in Italian wedding soup?

To streamline your cooking process, we recommend preparing a larger batch of meatball mixture, enough for 2 or 3 batches. Our recipe yields enough for two recipes, and you can easily scale it up for three – just use a larger mixing bowl. As for store-bought frozen meatballs, we haven’t found a brand we can enthusiastically endorse. If you have a preferred brand, feel free to use them, but be mindful of the size. This recipe calls for small, bite-sized meatballs, and larger varieties may not work as well. Also premade meatball mixture will likely include ingredients we don’t want in our diet, while also not tasting as good as homemade.

Can Italian Wedding Soup be made in a crockpot or slow cooker?

Absolutely, a crockpot is a viable option for Italian Wedding Soup. Keep in mind that this will transform it from a quick one-hour meal to a slow-cooked dish, requiring several hours in the crockpot. If you have the flexibility to let it simmer throughout the day, or if you enjoy the convenience of coming home to a fully prepared dinner, the crockpot is an excellent choice.

Can Italian wedding soup be made vegetarian friendly?

We believe our Italian Wedding Soup recipe can be made vegetarian with a few straightforward adjustments. For a plant-based version, consider using your favorite vegetarian meatballs, plant based meat or a meat alternative, and opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. We encourage you to give it a try and share your results!

Is Italian wedding soup easy to make?

This Italian Wedding Soup recipe is designed for simplicity and efficiency. This recipe will provide a healthy and satisfying meal in approximately one hour. To further speed up the process, consider pre-making the meatball mixture. With that step already completed, you can enjoy this nutritious soup in well under an hour.

Can I use spinach in place of escarole?

We prefer the texture and slight bitter taste of escarole in this soup. It is a terrific contrast to the slightly savory flavor of the meatballs. However, if you are on team spinach go ahead and make the substitution.

How do I make Italian Wedding soup?

The first step in crafting our Italian Wedding Soup is preparing the petite meatballs. We prefer using lean proteins like ground chicken or turkey for a healthier option. For a vegetarian version, simply substitute your favorite plant-based protein in the recipe or go with your favorite meatball alternative.

To create the binder, soak 2-3 slices of whole wheat bread in milk until softened, then mash into a thick paste. In a large mixing bowl, combine this with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Since the mixture can be a bit sticky, lightly wetting your hands will prevent it from clinging to your palms as you form the small meatballs.

Once the meatball mixture is prepared, begin forming small, bite-sized meatballs with half of the meatball mixture and arrange them on a plate. Set them aside for later use in the soup, or refrigerate if you are not proceeding immediately. The meatballs can be added to the soup raw, or you can brown them in a pan, or baked in the oven. With the other half, freeze for use the next time you want to make this recipe. If you prepared a double or triple batch, seal them in a vacuum-sealed bag or a freezer-safe bag. These frozen meatballs will keep well for several months and will save you time when making this soup.

Next, prepare the escarole and vegetables. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the escarole in a colander. Trim about 1-2 inches from the base, then separate the leaves and chop them into roughly 2-inch pieces. Slice the onion lengthwise, then halve it. Mince the garlic. For a variation in flavor and appearance, you can also add chopped celery and carrots. We sometimes include these vegetables for a slightly different flavor and appearance.

In a large soup pot, combine the onions, garlic, and escarole. Cover and cook over medium heat until the escarole reduces to about half its original volume. We love making soup in this Amazon Basics cast iron Dutch oven. Pour in the chicken broth, or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, and add a can of tomatoes. Season generously with oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Once the broth begins to boil, gently add the meatballs. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a strong simmer. Cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Finally, cook the soup pasta directly in the soup, following the package directions. The soup is ready when the pasta is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked.

What should I serve with Italian Wedding Soup?

Italian Wedding Soup is a satisfying and nutritious meal on its own, perfect for a cozy dinner. Simply pair it with crusty Italian bread, garlic bread, or simple breadsticks for a complete and comforting experience. If you prefer a soup and sandwich combination, grilled cheese or your favorite wrap are excellent choices. While deli meats are an option, we at The Fifties Fight Club have a few homemade sandwich and side suggestions that might pique your interest. Consider our open-faced kale sandwich with caramelized onions, a grilled Sorrentino panini, our copycat Panera turkey apple cheddar sandwich, or an onion quiche. You can find the links to each recipe below, or simply click on the sandwich names above.

Grilled Sorrentino Panini
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Easy
A lite and healthy pannini stuffed with grilled eggplant, chicken, prosciutto, Italian cheese, balsamic dressing, and basil.

1 vote 5.0 Cuisine: Italian
Open Faced Sandwich with Kale, Caramelized Onions and Chicken
Difficulty: Easy
A warm, crispy sandwich filled with kale, caramelized onions, rotisserie chicken and gooey cheese.

1 vote 5.0 Cuisine: American
Copycat Panera Turkey Apple Cheddar Sammi
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Easy
Copycat Panera and Trader Joe’s turkey and apple sandwich, only better!

2 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American
Spicy Onion Quiche
Difficulty: Easy
A light, unexpectedly flavorful quiche loaded with sweet onions and heat that you can control.

1 vote 5.0 Cuisine: American, French

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