Italian Wedding Soup
Cozy Up with Classic Italian Wedding Soup: A Recipe for Love and Comfort
Italian Wedding Soup, or Zuppa Nuziale as it’s known in Italy, isn’t actually served at weddings (despite the name!). The story goes that it was traditionally served at Italian-American weddings to symbolize good luck and prosperity for the couple. But honestly, you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy this heartwarming and flavorful soup! It’s perfect for a chilly evening, a comforting lunch, or a light yet satisfying dinner.
This recipe delivers all the classic flavors you expect: savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and a generous helping of fresh spinach, all swimming in a rich and aromatic broth. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and the leftovers (if there are any!) are even better the next day.
What makes this Italian Wedding Soup special?
- Flavorful Broth: We start with a good quality chicken broth and build layers of flavor with browned Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and garlic.
- Tiny Pasta Pearls: Acini di pepe (meaning “peppercorns” in Italian) are the traditional pasta shape for this soup. They add a delightful texture and absorb all the delicious broth.
- Nutritious Spinach: A handful of fresh spinach adds a pop of color and a boost of vitamins.
- Easy to Customize: Feel free to adjust the amount of sausage, spinach, or pasta to your liking.
Tips for the Best Italian Wedding Soup:
- Brown the Sausage: Don’t skip browning the sausage! This step adds a ton of flavor to the soup.
- Simmer, Don’t Boil: Simmering the soup allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Fresh is Best: While you can use dried spinach in a pinch, fresh spinach provides a superior flavor and texture.
- Garnish Generously: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a final touch of flavor and elegance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is acini di pepe? Acini di pepe is a tiny, round pasta shape often used in Italian soups. You can find it in most supermarkets with the other pasta or in the Italian foods section.
- Can I use different pasta? While acini di pepe is traditional, you can substitute other small pasta shapes like orzo or ditalini if you can’t find it.
- Can I make this soup ahead of time? Yes! The soup actually tastes better after it’s had a chance to sit for a few hours or overnight. Just be sure to cook the pasta separately and add it to the soup just before serving, as it will absorb the broth if it sits for too long.
- Is Italian Wedding Soup gluten-free? Not traditionally, as it contains pasta. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
- Can I freeze Italian Wedding Soup? Yes, but it’s best to freeze it before adding the pasta. Add the cooked pasta when you reheat the soup.
Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Italian Wedding Soup – a little taste of Italy in every bowl!
Italian Wedding Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage sweet or hot, removed from casings
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 8 cups Chicken broth
- 1 can Diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
- 1/2 cup Acini di pepe pasta
- 1 cup Fresh spinach chopped
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the olive oil, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the acini di pepe pasta and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
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