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    Home / Soup / Classic Wedding Soup

    Classic Wedding Soup

    Tiny, tender meatballs simmer with leafy greens and small pasta in a savory chicken broth for a beloved Italian-American classic.

    ⏱ 20 minPrep time
    🔥 30 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 SoupCategory
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    Italian wedding soup gets its name not from actual weddings, but from a mistranslation of the Italian phrase ‘minestra maritata,’ meaning ‘married soup,’ referring to the marriage of greens and meat flavors. Italian immigrants brought the dish to the United States in the early 20th century, and it became a beloved Italian-American classic.

    Tiny meatballs, greens, and pasta in savory broth

    Tiny, tender meatballs simmer with leafy greens and small pasta in a savory chicken broth for a beloved Italian-American classic.

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Combine the beef, pork, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper.
    2. Roll into very small, bite-sized meatballs.
    3. Bring the chicken broth to a simmer in a large pot.
    4. Gently drop the meatballs into the simmering broth and cook 8-10 minutes.
    5. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions.
    6. Stir in the escarole during the last 2-3 minutes until wilted, and serve with grated parmesan.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Keep the meatballs small, about the size of a marble, so they cook quickly and stay tender in the broth. Escarole is traditional, but spinach or kale work well as substitutes.

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    Recipe details

    Prep20 min
    Cook30 min
    Servings6
    CategorySoup
    PublishedAugust 12, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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