• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Our Way
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Wild Game
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Life
    • Wild Game
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs Minestra Maritata

    Beef, Venison, Lamb, Pork, Eating Italian, Recipes, Soups and Stews

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Share
    Jump to Recipe
    Italian Wedding Soup combines classic Italian flavors featuring a rich broth, white wine, creamy beans, and hearty meatballs uniting to form a marriage in culinary heaven. #Italianweddingsoup, #soup, #weddingsoup, #meatballsoup, #beansoup, #quicksoup, #classicItaliansoup, #lightsoup, #allourway

    When we decided to make a pot of Quick Italian Wedding Soup we knew that it was packed with taste but not history as well. Have you ever made Italian Wedding Soup? This is the first time for us.

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs and Arugula @allourway.com
    Jump to:
    • Italian Wedding Soup -- The Legend
    •  Italian Wedding Soup - The Truth
    • Quick Italian Wedding Soup - easy and bursting with taste
    • Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs Minestra Maritata

    Italian Wedding Soup -- The Legend

    I know, that's terrible! You must be thinking how can I call myself Italian when I've never made the light soup that's in practically every Italian restaurant in America? Even The Olive Garden has soup that's similar --  Zuppa Toscana. So, today we're making Quick Italian Wedding Soup to remedy our oversight.

    Do you think of soup when you think of weddings?

    I don't. I think of cake, cookies, champagne, wedding buffets, chicken, pork, lots of things. But soup? Definitely not soup. The Italian wedding soup must pack one heck of a punch if it's a tradition at wedding receptions.

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs, a typical Italian wedding buffet @allourway.com

    Now, it makes sense if you believe in the legend. The story goes that this particular dish gives the wedding couple . . . . ahem, extra stamina. An aphrodisiac! Whew! That's certainly a lot to ask a bowl of soup. 🙂

    I'm trying to picture it! The bride and groom are dancing, mingling with the guests. It's been a long day; it's getting late in the evening, and everyone is tired.

    Then out comes the soup. Woo! Hoo! Here comes the stuff that will give the energizer bunny get up and go! Eat it; the party is just beginning.

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs for the married couple @allourway.com

     

     Italian Wedding Soup - The Truth

    Sorry! I hate to ruin your fantasy, but the truth is that Italian wedding soup has nothing to do with nuptials. The marriage, in question, is between the meat {maritata}  and the green vegetables { minestra}.

    What would be more accurate is to call this dish a married soup versus a wedding soup.

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs and Arugula @allourway.com

    Italian Wedding Soup has many variations. What is constant is that the soup contains some form of meat, green vegetable, and chicken broth.

    Some recipes have pasta, and some have beans. Some people argue that the soup originally came from Spain where it was more of a stew. Then others claim that the recipe goes back to Roman times.

    You can find more about the different ingredients used in minestra maritata here. 

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs @allourway.com

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup - easy and bursting with taste

    Our version of this classic Italian soup goes together very quickly once you form the meatballs. You make a soffritto, a combination of celery, carrots, and onion sautéed in olive oil. Add the seasonings then the diced smoked beef sausage. You then pour in the white wine, a rich broth in a Dutch oven or heavy pot.

    Next, you add the meatballs, the creamy cannellini beans, your green of choice, ours is arugula, fresh parsley, and finally the tempered eggs into the simmering broth.

    Now, if you like soup with more substance, you can add another can of cannellini beans or small pasta such as pastina, ditalini, or orzo.

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs @allourway.com

    Yes, indeed, the flavors are a match made in culinary heaven. We hope you try our Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs and see if you don't believe theirs is a valid marriage.

    Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter, so we can share what we're cooking up in our kitchen.

    Tutti a tavola è pronto

    Un caro saluto e alla prossima.

    YOU MAY NEED...

    We use our Le Creuset Dutch Oven almost every day. It is heavy duty and we can cook our dishes slowly without fear of the food burning. It can go from the stove top to the oven. This pot will last us a life time. It is worth purchasing a good pot that will work for you. 

    What's new? check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy. 

    Thank you for being part of All Our Way!

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs @allourway.com

    Italian Wedding soup with three meatballs in a white bowl and a purple parmesan jar in the background with a copper bucket and wood salt and pepper mills.
    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs and Arugula @allourway.com

    Quick Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs Minestra Maritata

    Classic Italian flavors combine in the satisfying, yet surprisingly light-tasting soup. Rich broth, white wine, creamy beans, and hearty meatballs unite to form a marriage made in culinary heaven.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: First course, main dish, primo, Soup
    Cuisine: Italian, Italian American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 8 about 10 cups
    Calories: 270kcal
    Author: Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
    As An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients

    • For the Meatballs:
    • ½ cup Panko crumbs
    • ½ cup Parmesan grated
    • 4 Tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • 4 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ red pepper flakes
    • pinch nutmeg
    • ¾ lb. ground round
    • ¼ lb. ground sausage
    • For the soup:
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 cup onion diced
    • 1 cup celery diced
    • 1 cup carrot diced
    • 1 Tablespoon garlic minced
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
    • 3 bay leaves
    • ¾ cup smoked beef sausage sliced in half-moons then in quarters
    • ½ cup dry white wine
    • 6 cups chicken broth
    • 1 can cannelloni beans drained and rinsed (15 oz.)
    • 2 cups fresh arugula or spinach
    • ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
    • 2 eggs beaten
    • Shredded Parmesan for garnish

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 350 F. Stir all of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Form meatballs using a small scoop or melon baller and place on foiled lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Do not overbake. **
    • Sweat the vegetables, garlic, and seasonings in oil in a large pot or Dutch oven, covered, over medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes.
    • Add the smoked beef sausage quarters and continue to cook an additional 2 minutes.
    • Deglaze with wine; reduce until nearly evaporated. Stir in broth and bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered 15-20 minutes.
    • Drop meatballs into simmering soup and cook gently until they float, 3-4 minutes. Add beans, arugula or spinach, and parsley, and cook just until the arugula or spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. ***
    • Whisk eggs with some of the hot broth, then remove the soup from heat; stir in egg mixture.****
    • Garnish soup with Parmesan

    Notes

    ** You will have extra meatballs. We made around 42. We put in around 30.
    *** If you like more substance in your soup you can add another can of cannelloni beans and/or small pasta such as patina, ditalini, or orzo.
    ****The eggs add richness and a creamy texture to the soup. Be sure to whisk them together well with a little bit of the hot broth. Add a little more of the hot broth once that is whisked in. This is called "tempering" and will help prevent the eggs from cuttingly when added to the hot soup.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1¼ cups | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1253mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4270IU | Vitamin C: 25.5mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 3.5mg

    Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

      Powered By ConvertKit
      We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise

      SaveSave

      Pin
      Share
      Tweet
      Share
      « Wickedly Good Spicy White Chicken Chili
      Farro with Tomatoes Easy Italian One-Pan Dish »

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Catherine

        August 29, 2017 at 8:37 pm

        Haha! Such a fun post to read, Marisa! I've always loved Italian Wedding Soup...such a hearty, comforting dish. This looks and sounds delish!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          August 31, 2017 at 10:53 am

          Thank you, Catherine! Love soup -- it is so tasty and warming. Have a wonderful day!!

          Reply
      2. Veena Azmanov

        August 29, 2017 at 8:50 am

        5 stars
        Now that is so interesting! I know we have things in India too that are made just for weddings. Like Pickles, and stews.. You had to wait for a wedding to eat those! This sounds so delicious. Love the flavors in this one.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          August 29, 2017 at 2:09 pm

          Well, Veena, this really isn't for weddings. The "wedding" is in reference to the marriage of flavors. It's kind of funny how they come up with names for dishes. It's really a very tasty soup.

          Reply
      3. Adriana Lopez Martin

        August 29, 2017 at 1:19 am

        5 stars
        This is pure comfort, nothing better than a nice meal on a rainy day like today. I need to prepare this dish to my husband he is going to love it.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          August 29, 2017 at 7:50 am

          Thank you, Adriana! We are ready to make another pot of soup. It's our favorite lunch.

          Reply
      4. Veronika

        August 28, 2017 at 9:02 pm

        I love this soup! It is so perfect for the fall season!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          August 29, 2017 at 7:47 am

          Hello, Veronika! Yes, it is good for warming up -- inside out.

          Reply
      5. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife

        August 28, 2017 at 8:00 pm

        There are so many yummy flavors in there! It sounds great! I will definitely be making this for fall!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          August 29, 2017 at 7:46 am

          Hello, Marlynn! We are due to make it again -- can't wait to have another bowlful.

          Reply
      6. Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh

        August 28, 2017 at 3:50 pm

        I have always wondered why it was called Italian "wedding soup"! Now I know. Makes sense! I love Italian Wedding Soup!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          August 29, 2017 at 7:45 am

          Hi, Joanna! We love the flavor, too. Very light and tasty!

          Reply
      7. Giselle Rochford

        February 10, 2017 at 8:50 am

        I've been sick for most of this week and I can really go for a giant bowl of soup right now even though I'm only just eating breakfast ?

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 10, 2017 at 9:19 am

          I'm so sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Hopefully, you'll have your appetite back and are ready for some more sustenance. I wish I could send you a bowl of the soup. Get well soon!!

          Reply
      8. Molly Kumar

        February 08, 2017 at 5:59 pm

        OMG Marisa, I never knew 'Italian Wedding Soup' had nothing to do with the wedding (read shocked). I always imagined it being served in Italian wedding as a part of the tradition. I'm sure many of us who have had it many times wouldn't know this fact. But I totally love the quick version you have here. It looks so easy to make and definitely healthy too.

        Reply
      9. ManilaSpoon

        February 08, 2017 at 2:34 pm

        I often wondered why it was called the wedding soup whenever I saw it! Enjoyed reading about its history. All I can say is that this soup is a marriage of delicious flavors and textures! I say cheers to that!!!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 08, 2017 at 4:29 pm

          I'll certainly toast that sentiment! Good food, good taste, and great company, YES!!

          Reply
      10. Alicia Taylor

        February 08, 2017 at 1:11 pm

        I didn't realize this soup recipe had so much history! Thanks for sharing that. The story behind the food increases the richness of enjoyment!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 08, 2017 at 4:27 pm

          I agree, Alicia! Some of the recipes I've read about are really funny and some are kind of sad. But the history does make it special.

          Reply
      11. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie

        February 08, 2017 at 11:56 am

        I was always curious about the name of this soup because you're right, I never think of it when I think of weddings. But it's so good!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 08, 2017 at 4:26 pm

          Hi, Erin! I thought perhaps I was just at the wrong Italian weddings to have missed the soup. 🙂

          Reply
      12. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

        February 08, 2017 at 8:36 am

        Marisa, it was fun reading your post and I had a smile in my face all the time I was reading. There are few Indian recipes that is so common and I have never made them yet. The soup looks well 'married' and great!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 08, 2017 at 9:21 am

          Hello, Sandhya! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. There are so many recipes out there that I want to make -- and different cuisines too. I would like to try my hand at some Indian recipes, we like lots of flavor and I know those recipes deliver.

          Reply
      13. Hanady | Recipe Nomad

        February 08, 2017 at 7:10 am

        First off this looks amazing! Seriously amazing! It's been cold here lately so I'm always looking for healthy and easy soups to make. Can't wait to try this "marriage" soup!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 08, 2017 at 7:34 am

          Nothing like good soup to warm you from the inside out. 🙂 If you like Italian flavors, you'll really like the soup.

          Reply
      14. Wendy

        February 07, 2017 at 7:34 pm

        Your information about the origins of Italian Wedding Soup and its name is fascinating. I really think I would like to be a food anthropologist in my next life! 🙂 Meatballs turn soup into a main dish meal. Even though your recipe is "quick" it is certainly full of flavor!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 08, 2017 at 7:33 am

          Hi, Wendy! So you too like investigating where a recipe originates. It is fascinating. Until I looked this up I thought the Wedding soup was a wedding tradition. 🙁

          Reply
      15. Stephanie@ApplesforCJ

        February 07, 2017 at 3:29 pm

        I've never actually heard of Italian Wedding Soup but your pictures make it look absolutely delicious. I've always been a big fan of Italian food so I'm surprised I've never came across this one before.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 07, 2017 at 4:01 pm

          If you like Italian food, Stephanie, you'll really like the soup. It's just loaded with flavor and those meatballs are delicious!

          Reply
      16. Megan Marlowe

        February 07, 2017 at 2:57 pm

        I've always heard of Italian wedding soup but 1. Never tried it before and 2. always assumed it DID have something to do with weddings. I learned something new today. Not only that but I've realized I need to try this soup ASAP. I love the smoked beef sausage you used. I can imagine it packed the soup with so much flavor!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 07, 2017 at 3:59 pm

          Hi, Megan! The soup is very tasty! It is just so simple but full of flavor. I'm craving some right now! 🙂

          Reply
      17. Byron Thomas

        February 07, 2017 at 11:37 am

        Marisa, this soup looks wonderfully delicious - and thanks for the lesson - marriage versus wedding! Haha! You most certainly do have a knack for making the most delicious looking meatballs. Yum!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 07, 2017 at 12:32 pm

          Thank you, Byron. We just like our meatballs -- any way we can get them. 🙂

          Reply
      18. Srivalli Jetti

        February 07, 2017 at 11:10 am

        Marisa what an interesting post. Very informative about Italian wedding and the soup..never thought meatballs will served with soup..those are some lovely pictures!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          February 07, 2017 at 12:31 pm

          Thank you, Scrivalli. We do enjoy our meatballs 😉

          Reply
      19. Frank

        December 02, 2016 at 7:23 am

        Thanks for the shout out, Marisa Franca!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          December 02, 2016 at 1:07 pm

          You're welcome, Frank! I always love your recipes!

          Reply
      20. Martyn

        November 21, 2016 at 7:14 am

        I love a tasty soup and this looks perfect! Id have never thought to combine it with meatballs, will have to give it a go for sure 🙂

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 21, 2016 at 7:19 am

          Hello, Martyn! It is really a very good soup. Many Italian families save it for special occasions but it's easy enough to make anytime. Let me know how you like it 🙂

          Reply
      21. Amanda Mason

        November 20, 2016 at 5:23 pm

        Oh my goodness gracious! WOW! Beautiful pictures, especially the first two! LOVE! This recipe looks amazing! Thank you for sharing this post! Looks so amazing!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 20, 2016 at 6:33 pm

          Thank you, Amanda! That is so very nice of you to comment and give such nice compliments. I do hope you try it and it so very easy and delicious. If you make it, let me know what you think 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

          Reply
      22. Erin

        November 18, 2016 at 9:59 pm

        I love this soup but have never made it at home. Thanks for the recipe, can't wait to try it.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 19, 2016 at 6:00 am

          Hi,Erin! It is such an easy soup to make - you'll wonder why you never made it before!

          Reply
      23. MyCookingSecrets.com | Krystallia Giamouridou

        November 17, 2016 at 6:07 pm

        Love the Italian cuisine!!! No one is married at the moment from my family, but I' d loveeeee to cook this recipe! Looks delicious

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 18, 2016 at 7:13 am

          Hello, Krystallia. Why don't you surprise the family and make it for them? I think they'd enjoy eating it. I've heard from some of my Italian friends their mothers made it at Christmas or for special holidays.

          Reply
      24. Cricket Plunkett

        November 16, 2016 at 8:43 am

        Wedding soup always reminds me of my Grandmother, and this recipe looks just as good as hers!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 16, 2016 at 10:44 am

          Hi, Cricket! I think every nonna had her own special version of Italian Wedding Soup 🙂

          Reply
      25. Chef Mireille

        November 16, 2016 at 7:30 am

        this is the perfect winter time one pot meal - I can definitely dig into this!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 16, 2016 at 7:31 am

          Yes it is, Mireille. We're already planning our next pot to share with the family.

          Reply
      26. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

        November 16, 2016 at 6:00 am

        What a beautiful classic soup made right at home!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 16, 2016 at 6:57 am

          Hi, Rebecca! You'll have to try it! It's easy to make and delicious during these cold evenings!

          Reply
      27. Ciao Chow Linda

        November 15, 2016 at 10:40 pm

        I've always loved this soup. My mom used to make it for holidays and special meals, with spinach and small bits of pasta. So many variations - and all delicious.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 16, 2016 at 6:55 am

          Our Italian friend Duke told us the same thing about his mamma. He fondly remembers long Sunday dinners with everyone enjoying the company and food!

          Reply
      28. Platter Talk

        November 15, 2016 at 7:28 pm

        Beautiful pictures and recipe. Looking forward to trying.

        Reply
      29. Aish Das-Padihari

        November 15, 2016 at 6:01 pm

        Even though I love Italian Wedding Soup, I have not made it yet. I should definitely try once.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 15, 2016 at 6:11 pm

          Hello, Aish! If you'd make it you would probably make it all the time. It's not difficult.

          Reply
      30. Chiara

        November 15, 2016 at 5:16 pm

        I wish we were neighbors , this Minestra Maritata looks delicious ! Un abbraccio

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 15, 2016 at 6:10 pm

          Grazie, Chiara! If we were neighbors I'd be bringing over lots of dishes for you to taste and rate. Un abbraccio forte

          Reply
      31. Rosemary

        November 15, 2016 at 3:38 pm

        Looks and sounds delicious Marisa, to tell the truth I have never eaten it either. I must try it though. Great recipe.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 15, 2016 at 4:21 pm

          Hi, Rosemary! Well, our family gave it a resounding thumbs up 🙂 I think your Italian would like it as well as the rest of the family.

          Reply
      32. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

        November 15, 2016 at 10:44 am

        I love this soup! I've never put wine into it. I can't wait to try it! Thank you for sharing.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 15, 2016 at 11:02 am

          You're welcome, Elaine! I love sharing great recipes 🙂

          Reply
      33. Jovina Coughlin

        November 14, 2016 at 7:48 pm

        Our favorite soup. whenever the children visit, they ask me to make this soup. Love your recipe.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 15, 2016 at 7:29 am

          Hi, Jovina! I bet my kids would love it. I'll have to make it for them. I'm sure they'd love it. I want to share so many recipes with them, I don't think our kitchen and table would hold all of the dishes.

          Reply
      34. Lisa at celebrate creativity

        November 14, 2016 at 7:13 pm

        Marisa, I learned something today. I've never heard of Wedding Soup before.

        Your photos are looking great by the way. I know you must love your new camera.

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca

          November 15, 2016 at 7:31 am

          Hi, Lisa. You'll have to make the soup for your family -- I think they'd love it. I'm still thinking about your beautiful soup bowls! And yes I am loving the new camera - I still have a lot to learn. Have a great day!

          Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      I’m Marisa Franca, a home chef, food writer, and photographer who believes that you can make gourmet quality food at home with simple seasonal ingredients. I’m passionate about family, food, friends, everything Italian, and happy endings.

      More about me →

      Italian Pasta Side Dishes

      Italian Pasta Side Dishes

      Categories

      Archives

      • About
      • Recipes
      • Life
      • Wild Game
      • Contact

      Summer Outdoors

      • Crispy Golden Fried Chicken
      • Three Bean Salad
      • Million Dollar Dip
      • Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad

      Summer Sweets (Dolci)

      • Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
      • Coconut Pineapple Delight
      • Lemon Dump Cake
      • Panna Cotta With Strawberry Sauce

      Reader Favorites

      • Chop Suey | Classic Chinese-American Recipe Like Mom Made
      • Old-Fashioned Hearty Beef Barley Soup - The Way Mamma Used To Make
      • Homemade Italian Ravioli with Meat & Cheese Filling Tutorial
      • Grilled Marinated Venison Steak Tasty And Tender
      How to Make Hamburger Steak |Onion Gravy

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Privacy Policy
      • About
      • Accessibility

      Newsletter

      • Subscribe for emails and updates

      Contact

      • Contact

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2021 All Our Way