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Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup

It’s cold and rainy in Dallas, which calls for another soup recipe. BUT, not just any soup recipe! Today, I recreated an Italian Classic, Wedding Soup, and gave it a Whole30 makeover because, well, that’s what I do. So enjoy my Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup!

So, I had to know– why is it called ‘Wedding Soup’? So, my good old friend Wikipedia told me: the name of the soup literally means “Married Soup” (in Italian culture) as a reference to the flavor produced by the combination/”marriage” of greens and the broth. Typically, the soup is a hearty blend of meatballs, broth, leafy greens, some veggies, and pasta. To clean it up a bit, I created and baked the Whole30 compliant meatballs, then dropped them in a delicious, leafy green broth (sans pasta).

Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup

Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup

YouTube video

This Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup is absolutely delicious and one the whole family will enjoy!! I love how easy it is to prepare and it freezes well, too! Enjoy!

For another delicious Italian-style soup, try my Sausage, Fennel, and White Bean Soup!

Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup
5 from 11 votes

Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup

Total: 1 hour
Servings: 8 people

Ingredients 

FOR THE MEATBALLS:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1/2 lb. ground pork
  • 1/2 lb. ground veal
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup almond flour

FOR THE SOUP:

  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 1/4 cup diced yellow onion (about 3/4 onion)
  • 1 1/4 cup loosely diced celery (4 stalks)
  • 1.5 cup loosely diced carrots (3 large carrots)
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt , or more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper , or more to taste
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 5 cups dark leafy greens (escarole, spinach, swiss chard, or kale)

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a bowl, combine all of the 'for the meatballs' ingredients. Using your hands, gently combine.
  • With a melon baller or a teaspoon, drop ~1 - 1 1/4 inch balls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet (or 2). Using your hands, go back through and roll the meatballs into round circles, they don't have to be perfect.
  • Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside until soup is ready.
  • Meanwhile, for the soup, heat olive oil over medium high heat in a dutch oven or large soup pot.
  • Add the onions, celery, carrots, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and saute until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Then, reduce heat to a low simmer (medium-low heat or low heat depending on your stovetop).
  • Add the parsley, oregano, and the leafy greens. Stir until just wilted.
  • Add the cooked meatballs into the soup, taste and add salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with a little fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

ADAPTED FROM INA GARTEN

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Servings: 8 people

 



Welcome! I’m Alex.

I’m a food lover sharing healthy, simple, delicious, recipes from my kitchen to yours. Here you’ll find lots of Whole30, lots of healthy, and a little indulgence here and there because…it’s all about balance y’all!


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19 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    So good. I have a ton of the seasoned ground beef (I used beef only) and little meatballs both remaining- any suggestions as to how I could use them in another dinner recipe of yours or just for an informal meal?

    1. Hi Bella– these meatballs will go great over a little pasta or alongside some roasted veggies for an informal meal!! I also love putting meatballs on top of salads!! 🙂