Healthy Italian Wedding Soup With Turkey Meatballs Recipe
This Healthy Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey Meatballs is a comforting and nutritious dish featuring tender turkey meatballs, hearty vegetables, spinach, and delicate acini de pepe pasta, all simmered in a flavorful low-sodium chicken broth. Perfect for a wholesome meal that balances protein, vegetables, and classic Italian flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (for meatballs)
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Soup Base
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 1/4 cups carrots, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (for soup base)
- 8 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup acini de pepe pasta
- 4–5 cups fresh spinach
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently by hand until just combined. Shape the mixture into small 3/4-inch meatballs, taking care not to overwork the mixture to maintain tender texture.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding and brown on each side for about 2 minutes until lightly golden. Remove browned meatballs and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté over medium heat for about 6 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour chicken broth into the pot with the sautéed vegetables and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, then return meatballs to the pot. In a separate pot, cook acini de pepe pasta until al dente, then drain.
- Final Additions: Stir fresh spinach into the simmering soup and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Serve by dividing cooked pasta into bowls and ladling soup with meatballs and vegetables over the pasta. Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to ensure tender meatballs.
- Browning meatballs before adding to the soup enhances flavor and texture.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to keep salt levels in check.
- Acini de pepe is a small pasta that complements the soup well but can be substituted with orzo or other small pasta.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle fresh parsley as garnish.
Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, Turkey Meatballs, Healthy Soup, Low Fat Soup, Italian Soup Recipe, Comfort Food
