Italian Wedding Soup is one of those cozy, soul-soothing recipes that makes any day instantly better. It’s filled with tender chicken meatballs, greens, and just the right amount of lemon to keep things bright and fresh. On rainy days I have this recipe along with my Easy White Chicken Chile Soup and French Onion Soup on repeat.
Classic Italian Wedding Soup at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook)
- 👪 Servings: 6 people
- 🍝 Cuisine Type: Italian-style soup
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Light yet rich; savory chicken-meatball broth, wilted kale, bright lemon & plenty of Parmesan
- 📖 Dietary Info: Contains poultry (chicken), dairy (Parmesan), eggs; not vegetarian; freezer-friendly (per notes)
- 📦 Storage Notes: Can freeze individual portions for quick lunches (cool completely then freeze)
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: Meatball-loaded, full of greens and Parmesan-broth — comforting, better than your average soup, perfect for winter or make-ahead meals.
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Why I Love This Recipe
Italian Wedding Soup is one of those timeless, feel-good recipes that’s equal parts cozy and comforting. I love it because it hits all the right notes: savory homemade chicken meatballs, tender greens, creamy beans, and a light, lemony broth that ties it all together. It’s a hug in a bowl, and even though it sounds fancy, it comes together quickly with pantry staples.
The name “Italian Wedding Soup” actually has nothing to do with weddings at all! It comes from the Italian phrase minestra maritata, which means “married soup.” It refers to the perfect marriage between greens and meat in the broth... a pairing that’s been made for centuries in Italian kitchens.
It’s also endlessly adaptable. You can make it with whatever greens you have on hand, swap in turkey or pork for the meatballs, or even keep it vegetarian by skipping the meat and doubling up on beans. It’s hearty enough for a chilly night, light enough for lunch, and even better the next day when all the flavors have had time to come together. This soup also pairs amazing with some easy homemade garlic bread and a winter green salad.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground chicken (or ground turkey) and if you like poultry based soups you should check out my turkey tortilla soup and my easy chicken posole
- Curly kale (or spinach if you prefer)
- Cannellini beans (or great northern beans)
How to Make
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Mix until just combined, then form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs on all sides until golden brown, about 4–6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
- In a large soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes and sauté for 3–5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Pour in the stock, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Add the kale and cook for 3 minutes until wilted.
- Add the meatballs and cannellini beans to the pot and simmer for 8 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and Parmesan. Slowly drizzle the mixture into the simmering soup while stirring gently to create silky strands.
- Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the Italian Wedding Soup hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Tips & Tricks
- Make Ahead: The meatballs can be made and seared up to two days ahead. Store them in the fridge and add to the soup when you’re ready.
- Add Pasta: If you want to bulk the Italian Wedding Soup up, toss in some small pasta like acini di pepe or orzo.
- Extra Lemon: Don’t skip the lemon juice at the end, it makes the whole soup pop.
- Freezer Friendly: This Italian Wedding Soup freezes beautifully. Just leave out the egg and Parmesan mixture, then add that fresh when reheating.
- Greens Swap: Kale holds up best, but baby spinach works great for a softer texture.
FAQ's
Can I use a different protein for the meatballs in Italian Wedding Soup?
Yes! Ground turkey or pork both work perfectly.
Do I have to add the egg and Parmesan mixture to Italian Wedding Soup?
It’s optional, but it gives the soup a silky texture and richer flavor, so I highly recommend it.
Can I make Italian Wedding Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely. Skip the meatballs and use veggie stock, then double up on the beans for protein.
How do I store leftover Italian Wedding Soup?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Italian Wedding Soup
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- ½ pound ground chicken
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock (low sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ bunch curly kale, stems discarded and greens torn into bite size pieces, about 4 cups
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan, plus extra parmesan for serving
- 1 cup cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Mix until just combined, then form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs on all sides until golden brown, about 4–6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
- In a large soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes and sauté for 3–5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Pour in the stock, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Add the kale and cook for 3 minutes until wilted.
- Add the meatballs and cannellini beans to the pot and simmer for 8 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and Parmesan. Slowly drizzle the mixture into the simmering soup while stirring gently to create silky strands.
- Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
- Make Ahead: The meatballs can be made and seared up to two days ahead. Store them in the fridge and add to the soup when you’re ready.
- Add Pasta: If you want to bulk the Italian Wedding Soup up, toss in some small pasta like acini di pepe or orzo.
- Extra Lemon: Don’t skip the lemon juice at the end, it makes the whole soup pop.
- Freezer Friendly: This Italian Wedding Soup freezes beautifully. Just leave out the egg and Parmesan mixture, then add that fresh when reheating.
- Greens Swap: Kale holds up best, but baby spinach works great for a softer texture.
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling + Recipe by Adam Pearson
Made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit!!! It was so delish!!! Loved the lemon and how it brightens it up. Yummmmm.
If I make this and transfer to a crockpot to keep warm - do you think that will be ok? I have never added an egg mixure to a soup and I want to make sure it does not curdle or change the consistency.
TBH - I havent tried it!! But I would guess that it would be fine!
This was certainly a hit and also with our friends. This is going into the favorites book, like most of your recipes! Thank you, it is delicious.
I made this tonight, it was even better than we expected. I did bake the meatballs, but followed the other directions. I would not change a thing. My husband loved it. It was delicious.
I made this for a Superbowl party. I mashed the beans instead of leaving them whole and added tortellini. It was a total hit!
This hit the spot & kept me cozy this weekend during a storm. I doubled the recipe to ensure I had plenty for lunches this week.
Made this today. The meatballs are a big hit and turn this into a meal for the teenager in my house. I found the broth lack luster though. So pick your broth carefully and/or consider ways to liven the flavor.
Weird question but my family isn’t a fan of beans. I know I could sub orzo, but I’m wondering if it would work to put the soup in a blender after adding the beans? I’d like to include them because - healthy Obviously would need to add the kale after that step - maybe spinach instead since it would probably wilt faster.
I assume you could do the soup portion in the crockpot after seating the meatballs. Thoughts?
haven't tested it!!
This was so good for a snowy quarantine day! Just bought your cookbook. So excited to make more of your recipes!
So easy and tasty! Great weeknight dinner!
Super filling, easy, and delicious. The meatballs were so flavorful.
My egg addiction turned into scrambled eggs! I added it slowly while stirring. Suggestions? Besides that it was amazing! Meatballs were tender and full of flavor
reduce the heat even more next time perhaps? it should be at medium low and if that was too hot, I'd try low!! Perhaps your flames are stronger than mine
Crushed it again!
Thanks Gab!
-Tyler
My son had seconds, which is a win since he complains about every meal lately! Easy to make and flavorful-will make again! Doubled the meatballs 🙂
Such a simple recipe with absolutely amazing flavor! My family was raving about it! I have made other versions of this soup and this is so superior. The lemon at the end gives such a little punch of brightness! Kudos! You knocked this one out of the park!