It has to be the flavor packed tiny meatballs.

No…no, actually it’s the fresh spinach leaves and miniature pasta all bathing in wonderful homemade chicken broth.

Oh wait, I’m certain it’s the final swirl of egg and salty Parmesan cheese that makes this soup near the top of my comfort food list. 

The Process

This soup, like many we make, starts with a classic mirepoix of diced celery, onion, and carrots sautéed in a little butter and olive oil with a nice fresh thyme sprig. 

We add good rich chicken stock and a handful of tiny pasta.

The meatballs are baked then added to the broth to finish cooking. As a result, Italian Wedding Soup is know for its soft tiny meatballs.

To finish the soup, I add a couple handfuls of fresh spinach leaves, followed by what might be my favorite part….swirled egg.  If you prefer to leave that step out, it’s still an amazing bowl of love!

Top with shaved Parmesan….serve with crusty bread. 

What’s not to love?! 

I will Share the Love today with my sister Sarah and my wonderful over-the-fence neighbor Ms. Pat. 

Italian Wedding Soup makes everyone happy.

Italian Wedding Soup is definitely near the top of my comfort food list! There’s something about tiny meatballs bathing in a wonderful broth!

There is no question! This hearty soup is made with love!

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Italian Wedding Soup

It has to be the flavor packed tiny meatballs….no actually it's the fresh spinach leaves and miniature pasta all bathing in wonderful homemade chicken broth…oh wait I'm certain it's the final swirl of egg and salty Parmesan cheese that makes this soup near the top of my comfort food list. 

Course Soup

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For meatballs…

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• pinch nutmeg

For soup…

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 cup onion diced
• 1 cup celery fine diced
• 1 cup carrot fine diced
• 1 thyme sprig
• salt & pepper
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked small pasta like Stars or Orzo
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated
• Shaved Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

For meatballs…

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Combine all meatball ingredients, except turkey, until just blended. Add in turkey and mix to combine (do not overwork or they be hard meatballs instead of soft meatballs) and shape into small quarter-sized meatballs, about 50.
• Bake for 8 minutes on parchment lined shallow baking pan. They will be almost done, but will finish cooking in soup broth.

For soup…

• Saute onion, celery, carrot and thyme sprig in olive oil and butter until tender, season with salt & pepper. Add chicken broth, bring to a boil. Add uncooked small pasta – cook for about 5 minutes (gentle boil). Then add meatballs and fresh spinach, cook for 2-3 more minutes until pasta is tender.
• Beat eggs with Parmesan cheese. Swirl soup with a fork as you slowly pour in the egg/cheese. It will form strands of cooked egg – cook for 1 min. more. Serve in big bowls with shaved Parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

The post Italian Wedding Soup {Share the Love} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Call me crazy, but when I have leftover Spaghetti & Meatballs I’m looking for bread and butter so I can make a sandwich.  Picked this up as a kid and it has stuck with me ever since.  National Grilled Cheese Month seemed like the perfect time to share this little secret of mine.  Welcome the Spaghetti & Meatball Grilled Cheese Sandwich with fresh mozzarella & Parmesan cheese on a pesto chibatta roll.  Ha!

I must confess I have been looking at leftovers quite differently since I came up with this masterpiece.  Stay tuned for the next espisode of Grilled Cheese Inspirations by Libby with Lemony Thyme.  It may be my calling :)

The post Spaghetti & Meatball Grilled Cheese Sandwich appeared first on Lemony Thyme.