Italian Wedding Soup Recipe: Minestra Maritata

People often think that Italian wedding soup is so-called because it is a dish people serve at weddings. However, that is not the case. The name refers to the marriage between meat and vegetables, as these are both important components of an Italian wedding soup recipe.

Wedding soup, or minestra maritata,  is one of the most popular Italian soups, and it contains a mixture of seasonal vegetables in a broth with meatballs. Usually, the meatballs contain a mixture of pork and beef, but you can stick to one meat if you prefer.

Some people are afraid to make soups containing meat, as they believe they are more complicated to create, but that is not true in this instance. Our Italian wedding soup recipe is surprisingly easy to make, and the delicious flavour means it is worth making an effort. Here is our simple yet mouthwatering Italian wedding soup recipe.

Useful Information

Ingredients for the Meatballs for the Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

• 8 oz lean minced beef
• 8 oz minced pork
• 4 oz. white breadcrumbs
• 2 sprigs of fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1.5 tsp of fresh oregano
• 4 oz. finely shredded Parmesan
• 1 large egg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Ingredients for the Minestra Maritata Broth

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 diced onion
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 litres chicken stock
• 8 oz./ 250g dried orzo pasta
• 6 oz spring cabbage or kale, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Finely shredded parmesan for garnish

How to Make the Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

1. Add the beef and pork to a large mixing bowl. 
2. Then, add the bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, parmesan, egg, salt, and black pepper.
3. Combine the mixture with your hands. 
4. Next, shape the mixture into very small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, then transfer to a plate.
5. Put a frying pan and a large pot on the hob over medium-high heat, then add some olive oil to each pan.
6. Add the meatballs to one pan so they can begin to brown.
7. At the same time, add the diced carrots, onions, and celery to the large pot and sauté for approximately six minutes, until the vegetables have softened. 
8. Next, add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute or two.
9. Check your meatballs are brown on the underside. If so, turn the meatballs so they brown equally on all sides. 
10. Pour in chicken stock over the vegetables, then season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
11. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. 
12. Add the orzo pasta, cabbage/ kale, and cooked meatballs to the vegetables and stock.
13. Cover the soup and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
14. Serve the Italian wedding soup in bowls, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese garnish.

Additional Tips for Making Minestra Maritata

• Searing the meatballs: Although the meatballs will cook in the soup without searing, the searing process adds flavour. Also, if you do not sear the meatballs, they will have a different texture and may feel a little bouncy.
• Small meatballs: Some people think the bigger the better when cooking. Avoid that mentality when making your meatballs. When making Italian wedding soup, smaller is always better. Not only will they cook quicker in the broth, but they are also easier to eat, and the dish has better flavour balance.
• Fresh herbs: It is best to use fresh herbs in our Italian wedding soup recipe, as the flavour is better, and adding plenty of garlic will also enhance the flavour. However, you can use dried herbs if you do not have fresh ones and alter the quantity of garlic cloves to suit your taste.
• Small pasta: Using orzo is not compulsory, although you should use a small pasta variety. Choosing a larger variety will change this dish’s overall balance, flavour, and texture, and it will not be a true Italian wedding soup.
• Garnishes: Parmesan is a fantastic garnish for our Italian wedding soup recipe, as it adds so much flavour. You can also serve the soup with crunchy croutons for texture or your favourite bread to soak up the broth.
• Further reading: If you have enjoyed making this soup, you might also like to try some of our other Italian soups. Try our minestrone, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, minestra d’orzo, and zuppa di verze e patate. You may also enjoy reading about popular soups from other countries, including French soups, Scottish soups, and Polish soups.
• Have you tried our Italian wedding soup recipe? Let us know what you think below.