Go Back
+ servings
wedding soup in colorful bowl

Italian Wedding Soup (East Side Mario's Copycat)

Claudia Genschow
Mini meatballs, tiny pasta, and fresh greens make our Italian Wedding Soup (East Side Mario's copycat) a simple yet cozy and satisfying meal.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 39 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 333 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large pot
  • 1 large bowl

Ingredients
  

For the tiny meatballs:

  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 lb ground extra lean beef
  • 1/2 small grated onion ensure it's a small onion since too much moisture from a large onion will make shaping the meatballs difficult
  • 2 cloves of grated garlic
  • 1/4 tsp lemon zest optional
  • 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp of milk
  • 1 Egg
  • Salt and pepper to taste around 1 1/2 teaspoons

For the soup:

  • 3/4 cup of acini de pepe pasta East Side Mario's uses this, but you can substitute any other small pasta if unavailable
  • 5 ounces or 140 grams of fresh baby spinach you can also use frozen chopped spinach, but in that case, use much less, around 30 grams
  • 1/4 tsp lemon zest optional
  • 7 cups of chicken broth if using store-bought, 2 cartons of around 900ml each
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • Fresh parsley
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Start by combining all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and shape the mixture and shape them into mini round balls. Set them aside for later.
  • Pour chicken stock into a large pot over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil.
  • Once boiling, add the meatballs and let them cook for about 10 minutes. Add the garlic powder and the pasta and to cook according to the instructions on the package. When there are 2 minutes left for the pasta to cook, add the spinach and cook for an additional couple of minutes.
  • Adjust the seasoning with salt to your liking, turn off the heat, and just before serving, add the optional 1/2 tsp of grated lemon zest and freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

Please Note :The displayed calories are an estimated value. Actual calorie content may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. Always consult with a nutritionist for precise dietary information

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal
Keyword meatballs, Soup, wedding
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
QR Code linking back to recipe