Pioneer Woman Italian Wedding Soup​

Homemade Italian wedding soup featuring beef and sausage meatballs, pearl couscous, and fresh spinach in a savory broth. Ready in under an hour.

Featured in Comforting Bowls.

A young woman with long, wavy hair wearing glasses is seated at a table, holding a menu and looking thoughtfully to the side in a softly lit restaurant.
Updated on Mon, 06 Jan 2025 21:15:33 GMT
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Transforming simple ingredients into a meatball soup that brings warmth to any table. The combination of tender, flavorful meatballs and pearl couscous creates a satisfying meal that's both comforting and elegant.

Making this soup reminds me of Sunday family dinners - the aroma of browning meatballs filling the kitchen.

Essential Ingredients Selection

  • Ground Meats: Choose 80/20 beef for juicy meatballs
  • Pearl Couscous: Look for uniform size for even cooking
  • Fresh Spinach: Pick bright, crisp leaves
  • Parmesan: Fresh-grated adds more flavor
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds brightness to meatballs and garnish

Detailed Steps

Step 1: Meatball Formation (20 minutes)
Combine ingredients gently, don't overmix. Roll uniform sizes for even cooking. Chill formed meatballs briefly. Arrange with space between on baking sheet.
Step 2: Creating the Base (15 minutes)
Sweat vegetables until translucent. Build flavor layers gradually. Toast garlic until fragrant. Deglaze with small amount of broth.
Step 3: Soup Assembly (20 minutes)
Add broths in stages. Simmer couscous until tender. Add spinach last minute. Check meatball temperature.
Step 4: Final Seasoning (5 minutes)
Add lemon juice off heat. Taste and adjust salt. Garnish thoughtfully. Let rest briefly.
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Pioneer Woman Italian Wedding Soup​ | quickierecipe.com

The blend of beef and Italian sausage creates perfectly seasoned meatballs that enhance the broth.

Broth Enhancement

Add parmesan rind while simmering.

Make-Ahead Tips

Form meatballs early, refrigerate until needed.

Serving Suggestions

Crusty bread for dipping.

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Pioneer Woman Italian Wedding Soup​ | quickierecipe.com

This recipe proves that homemade soup doesn't need hours of simmering. The key is layering flavors and treating each component with care.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the meatballs ahead?
Yes, bake them up to 2 days ahead and store in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months.
→ What can I substitute for pearl couscous?
Use any small pasta like orzo, ditalini, or acini de pepe, adjusting cooking time as needed.
→ Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, freeze without the pasta for up to 3 months. Add fresh pasta when reheating.
→ How do I prevent tough meatballs?
Don't overmix the meat mixture and avoid overcooking. They'll continue cooking in the soup.
→ What greens can I use instead of spinach?
Escarole, kale, or Swiss chard work well. Add heartier greens earlier to ensure they cook through.

Easy Italian Wedding Soup

Classic Italian wedding soup with homemade meatballs, pearl couscous, and fresh vegetables in a rich broth.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Meatballs

01 1/2 pound lean ground beef
02 1/2 pound mild Italian sausage
03 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
05 1 large egg
06 1 garlic clove, minced
07 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
08 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
09 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Soup

10 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 1 cup chopped carrots
12 1 cup chopped yellow onion
13 1 cup chopped celery
14 3 garlic cloves, minced
15 1 teaspoon kosher salt
16 1 teaspoon black pepper
17 6 cups chicken broth
18 14 ounces beef broth
19 1 cup pearl couscous
20 5 ounces baby spinach
21 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

Step 01

Heat to 450°F. Line baking sheet with foil

Step 02

Mix meatball ingredients, form 40 small meatballs. Place on lined sheet

Step 03

Bake 6-8 minutes until firm. Broil 2-4 minutes until brown

Step 04

Cook carrots, onion, celery in oil until soft. Add garlic

Step 05

Add broths and seasonings. Boil, add couscous, simmer 8 minutes

Step 06

Add spinach until wilted. Add meatballs and lemon juice

Notes

  1. Can substitute pearl couscous with orzo or ditalini
  2. Add spinach at end to keep fresh
  3. Can enhance broth with white wine

Tools You'll Need

  • Large stockpot or Dutch oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Wheat