Cozy Italian Wedding Soup with Chicken Meatballs & a Parmesan Twist

You haven’t had Italian Wedding Soup until you’ve tried this version. Trust me—once you add a Parmesan rind and make those juicy little meatballs from scratch, you’ll never look back. This Italian Wedding Meatball Soup is hearty, full of layered flavor, and perfect for a chilly day. Plus, it’s one of those magical dishes that gets even better the next day.

Grab a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot—we’re going big here. Drizzle in a generous glug of olive oil, and bring the heat to medium. Toss in two finely chopped onions and let them sweat—not brown. We’re building flavor gently here.

While those onions are softening and making the kitchen smell like heaven, go ahead and chop your carrots. Multitasking is your best friend. Less waiting, more cooking! Add the carrots to the pot, stir, and let them hang out. Season with a bit of salt—this is where flavor starts.

Once those veggies are softened and glistening, it’s broth time. I used three cartons of bone broth (hello, Costco!), but regular chicken broth totally works. Pour it in, let it simmer, and get ready for the secret weapon…

Yep. The Parmesan rind. Just toss it in. Don’t ask questions. It melts slowly and transforms your broth into something rich, savory, and deeply comforting. This little trick? Straight from an old Italian nonna. Leave it in while the soup cooks, then fish it out at the end.

This is the foundation of our Italian Wedding Soup with Chicken Meatballs—flavorful, nourishing, and absolutely perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.

Let’s Talk Meatballs

Toss shallots, parsley, and grated Parmesan into a food processor and blitz it all into a fragrant, herby paste. Add it to your ground chicken, then grate in some lemon zest. That citrus pop? Game-changer. Now mix it all up—hands are best (gloves optional, but go for it).

And that’s how you make the most flavorful chicken meatballs for Italian wedding soup. These little guys are tender, juicy, and loaded with fresh flavor. If you’re wondering how to make Italian wedding soup meatballs that stay moist and don’t fall apart—this is it.

Once your broth is gently bubbling, give it a quick taste and adjust the seasoning. Then take a mini cookie scoop and start dropping in little chicken meatballs. Don’t worry about making them perfect. They’ll poach gently in the broth, soaking up all that flavor while releasing their own. It’s a beautiful thing.

@girlandthekitchen

You’re Making your soup wrong!

♬ original sound – Chef Mila Furman

Finish Strong

Traditionally, this Italian meatball wedding soup recipe calls for orzo or acini di pepe—I used gluten-free orzo, and it worked like a charm. Just a small handful! It’ll plump up as it cooks.

Right before serving, stir in a few big handfuls of baby spinach until just wilted. Taste again (always!) and ladle into big cozy bowls. Top with more Parmesan—because obviously.

Step-by-Step Guide (aka the Shortcut to Comfort Food)

1. Sweat the onions in olive oil over medium heat—just until soft, no color.
2. Chop and add carrots while the onions are doing their thing. Salt as you go.
3. Pour in your broth and drop in that magical Parmesan rind.
4. Blitz shallots, parsley, and parmesan, and mix them into ground chicken with lemon zest.
5. Scoop mini meatballs into the simmering broth. Let them poach gently.
6. Add orzo and cook until tender.
7. Stir in baby spinach; let it wilt.
8. Taste, adjust, serve—and top with more Parmesan.

This recipe for Italian wedding soup meatballs is exceptional—it satisfies all the necessary elements: it’s warm, rich, fresh, and made with love.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup with Chicken Meatballs. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug—simple, nourishing, and full of flavor. With just a few fresh ingredients and one clever little Parmesan rind, you’ve created something seriously special.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving a cozy homemade dinner, this chicken meatball Italian wedding soup hits every note. And hey—now you know how to make Italian wedding soup meatballs like a private chef (because technically, you just did!).

So go ahead, pour yourself a bowl, top it with a little extra Parmesan, and enjoy the comfort of real food made from scratch. You earned it. 💛

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