Deliciously comforting Italian Wedding Soup made with an addition of juicy turkey meatballs. Every bite of this soup is so satisfying and loaded with kale, meatballs, orzo pasta, and Parmesan cheese.
Italian Wedding Soup
I love soups. Every year, I can’t wait to the Fall season just so I can start making all the best comfort dishes, and soups are definitely at the top of my list.
It might always be warm in Florida but a nice bowl of soup is still a must during fall and winter seasons.
This Italian Wedding Soup is one of my favorite soups to make. As much as I like making all kinds of different soups, I am partial to a few classics like Zuppa Tuscana, Italian Wedding, Tomato Bisque, and Crab Bisque.
This version of classic Italian Wedding Soup is great for different moods and occasions. First, there are meatballs and that’s a great addition to any soup that can take it from lunch to the main course easily.
You can actually play around and make chicken or beef meatballs here. Personally, I think turkey go best here because they are light and don’t take away from the rest of ingredients.
Let’s not forget about kale. Kale is perfect in soup because it holds up nicely to cooking and doesn’t get mushy. There are a ton of nutritional benefits in kale as well.
Then, you have a touch of pasta in the tiny orzo bites. You can use other small sized pasta like ditalini, stars, or acini di pepe. (If you wish, you can omit pasta all together.)
And of course, the cheese! Parmesan and egg is the perfect finish to this delicious, comforting soup.
Can the meatballs be made ahead of time?
Yes, to save some time you can make the meatballs ahead of time.
Prepare meatballs according to the recipe and cook them in the soup pot. Take them off heat and cool enough to be placed in the refrigerator. Cover with a lid and keep in the same pot.
The next day, or when ready, start heating the pot over medium heat and continue per recipe.
Some more soup recipes to try:
White Bean and Roasted Mushroom Soup from She Wears Many Hats
Carrot, Tomato and Coconut Soup from Green Kitchen Stories
Tuscan Ravioli Soup from Kleinworth & Co.
Crockpot Beer Cheese Soup from Family Fresh Meals
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Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey Meatballs and Orzo
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup minced yellow onion
- 1 Tbsp minced Italian parsley
- salt and fresh ground black pepper
Soup:
- Meatballs from above
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 6 cup (loose not packed cups) chopped kale
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 garlic cloves
- salt
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredient for the meatballs and mix until all evenly combined.
- Preheat a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil. Form small meatballs and add them to the pot. Cook meatballs over medium heat until about half way done.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic. Saute for a couple of minutes.
- Slowly add stock and raise heat to medium-high. Bring it to boil and lower the heat back to medium.
- Add salt and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Add orzo and chopped kale. Cook until orzo is done.
- Whisk egg in a small bowl and mix it with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
- Once orzo is cooked, start slowly swirling soup (in one direction) and slowly pour in the egg mixture.
- Cook for about a minute or two and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Linda says
This was delicious! I did a couple of mods, baked the turkey meatballs, and omitted the ‘egg/parmesan’ swirl in at the end Still, just loved it and leftovers are fabulous as the flavors meld. Thank you Lyuba!
LyubaB says
Glad you liked the recipe, Linda!
Melody says
Do you think this could be made in a crockpot?
Arlene says
Just made this soup and can’t believe how tasty it is! Definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Betty says
The Italian Wedding Soup…when you say “Stock” I guess you mean chicken? What would you recomend?
lyuba says
Hi Berry! I’m sorry, I usually specify in the recipe but missed it somehow. Yes, I’d recommend chicken stock or you can use vegetable broth if you have that on hand. I hope you like it!
lyuba says
Oh boy, hit reply without reading my reply. I’m sorry, Betty!
Betty says
Its ok! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! Seems like a Great Soup, cant wait to try
Judy Hill says
Loved this soup and would like to share with friends. Thanks for the recipe
lyuba says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked it 😉
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I love soups!! There are so many varieties and tastes. I’ve been making this soup for years — only not with the turkey. Your photos are stunning love them. How did your prevent your camera lens from steaming up? I’d have a problem with drooling over the soup. 🙂
lyuba says
Hahaha, thank you so much Marisa!
I’m actually not that close and I shoot about 5 minutes after I pour it in the bowl, so I haven’t had the steam issue.
Mariya says
Looks so good, my family loves soups and I’m out of ideas we love zuppa toscana so I think this will be so good also! Do you have recipe for tomato bisque soup? They have one called Tuscan tomato at Safeway and it’s so good but I never found a good recipe. Thank you!
lyuba says
Hi Mariya! I hope you will enjoy this soup. I do have a recipe for Tomato Bisque right here: https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/2014/07/tomato-bisque-smoked-gouda-grilled-cheese-dippers.html
Liz says
I love this soup. Thanks so much.
lyuba says
Thank you, Liz! I hope you’ll make it soon 🙂
Justine@CookingandBeer says
Yum! This soup just screams “fall!” I love the turkey meatballs, and it just sounds like comfort in a bowl! Pinned!
lyuba says
Absolutely, Justine! Thank you so much!