Salads, Soups, & Chili

Roman Wedding Soup

This simple meatball soup is satisfying and easy to make. Despite its name, it’s not served at Italian weddings! Its name in Italian is “minestra maritata”—a soup of meat and vegetables whose flavors blend, or marry, well.

Prep Time 
15 minutes or less
Cook Time 
15 to 30 minutes
Total Time 
45 minutes
Servings 
6
Ingredients 

MEATBALLS
1 pound Gold'n Plump® Ground Chicken
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons dry Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
SOUP
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup toasted uncooked orzo pasta
4 cups sliced escarole, curly endive, or kale
Shredded Parmesan and finely chopped Italian parsley, if desired

Instructions 

Gently mix meatball ingredients in medium bowl until well blended.

Heat oil in Dutch oven or large soup kettle over medium-high heat. Add carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Add broth to pan; bring to boiling. Stir in orzo; simmer soup 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make 1/2-inch meatballs, using wet hands so the mixture doesn’t stick to your hands.

Stir sliced greens into soup, then gently drop meatballs in. Simmer soup, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes longer or until meatballs are cooked through. Serve soup topped with shredded Parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

Tips 

Do take the time to toast the uncooked orzo in a dry skillet for about 2 minutes or until golden brown—the texture and taste once its cooked in the broth is truly delicious.

Variations 

Nutritional information may change when substituting your chicken product. If you choose to substitute frozen chicken for this recipe, it's best to thaw before cooking.

Cuisine 
Italian

  • Serving Size
    • Servings 
      6
  • PER SERVING
    • Calories 
      310
    • Calories from Fat 
      37%
    • Total Fat 
      13g
    • Saturated Fat 
      3g
    • Total Carbohydrate 
      27g
    • Protein 
      25g
    • Sugars 
      2g
    • Cholesterol 
      89mg
    • Dietary Fiber 
      2g
    • Sodium 
      215mg
  • DAILY VALUE
    • Vitamin A 
      78%
    • Vitamin C 
      4%
    • Calcium 
      7%
    • Iron 
      15%
  • DIETARY EXCHANGES
    • Starch/Bread 
      1
    • Other Carbohydrates 
      1
    • Fat 
      1
    • Lean Meat 
      3
    • Recipes calling out meat in the Dietary Exchanges category were analyzed with information prior to 2014 updates. Recipes calling out protein were analyzed with the new information after 2014.
Cooking Method 
Stovetop
Recipe Source 
Lisa Golden Schroeder