One Pot Meal: Cheater Italian Wedding Soup
by Jan 3rd, 2011 // Dinner, Recipes
One Pot Meal: Cheater Italian Wedding Soup
My mom is an expert soup maker. My kid is an expert soup eater. They are the perfect pair and this soup is the perfect weeknight one pot meal that could easily unseat anything you have in regular rotation. It’s everything I want in a meal: easy, quick, delicious and satisfying. (It’s quite similar to Italian wedding soup but without the work.)
So satisfying that after having it the night before for dinner, my kid asked for it for breakfast. My mom said “I don’t see why not!” Alas, here he is eating an entire bowl for breakfast at her house before heading to see Lion King on Broadway. (After which he reported he wants to be an actor when he grows up!) Lucky, spoiled boy.
Not to be outsmarted by her brother, my little Baby Led Weaner made some noise until grandma gave her a “breakfast” meatball as well. She plowed through two all on her own. This one’s definitely a keeper. Now for the recipe…
Cheater Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Prep Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 30 mins (largely unattended)
Ingredients:
3/4 lb. ground turkey meat
1/4 cup cold water
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup finely minced onion
1/2 cup fine plain bread crumbs
8 cups good chicken broth
2 large carrots, cut in rounds
2 stalks celery, diced
1 cup orzo or pastina
1 (10 oz. ) package fresh spinach, trimmed and torn
salt & fresh cracked pepper
In a large bowl, mix turkey meat, water, egg, onion, bread crumbs, salt and pepper to taste. Shape into 1 inch balls and set aside. In a large pot bring broth, carrots and celery to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cover. Let cook for 10 minutes. Add orzo and let it cook 5 minutes (pastina takes 2 minutes), stirring frequently. Add the meatballs and simmer 10 minutes until meatballs are cooked. Stir in spinach just before serving. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings.
wish there was a way to make this vegetarian
hey rebecca- happy new year! this looks delicious. quick question- do you cook the meatballs before throwing them in or the 10 min simmer enough to cook the meat?
so does my husband! i'll work on it. stay tuned.
the simmering is enough to cook them. if you make them small 10 minutes is enough. bigger ones take 15 to 20.
I have been wanting to make Italian Wedding soup so badly, but couldn't find a recipe that was quick and easy….this one sounds perfect!
I have made a similar soup before, but I put cheese tortellini and do not add any meat. It's really tasty
This looks so bright and cheerful. It's also light and easy and, after a season of excess, it's perfect for January.
I was planning to make this tomorrow, but I forgot the orzo! Do you think I should sub rice, another pasta (I probably have wagon wheels & bowties), or just make another trip to the store?
oh yippee can't wait to see that show up in my google reader
cool will have to try that!
I made this last night, and it was delicious! Just as easy as you promised. I did pop the meatballs in the skillet first to brown them a bit, but other than that, I followed your recipe to a T. (Well, I did overcook the orzo, but it still tasted fine. I'll know better next time.)
My two-year-old daughter snarfed down five meatballs in record time, and then kept fishing pieces of orzo out of her bowl even once we had moved onto dessert. I would say it was a hit! Thanks so much!
so glad it was a hit with the little one. do you feel like the browning added some good extra flavor?
I do think it might have added a bit of flavor. But the main reason I did it was to give them some color so the big kid in the house (the husband) wouldn't notice they were turkey meatballs. I should also mention that I did use garlic bread crumbs and added some Italian seasoning to the mixture, and I'm glad I did. It added some flavor, but it wasn't overpowering.
[...] and Guess Who with the kids. And for tonight’s swell supper we are making a one pot meal of Cheater Italian Wedding Soup, Artisan Bread, and Candied Pecans so we have some sweet snacks during the games after [...]
Hi! Your Italian wedding soup was nominated as one of the “Best Italian Wedding Soup Recipes on the Net”. To vote for it, please visit http://easyitalianrecipes.org/soup-recipes/best-italian-wedding-soup-recipes-on-the-net-vote-for-your-favorite/ (your recipe is positioned at #163).