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).

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!

Whole30 Italian Wedding Soup

Serves: 8 people

Print

5 from 8 votes

Total Time1 hour hr

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