Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup Recipe – A Charming Classic

Simmering with rustic charm, Italian wedding soup emerges as a culinary masterpiece that captures generations of family love.

Delicate meatballs waltz through a verdant broth, carrying whispers of old-world kitchens and cherished memories.

Tender greens and perfectly seasoned meat create a harmonious melody of flavors that sing with authenticity.

Herbs and spices transform humble ingredients into a celebration of comfort and connection.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition, weaving together generations of culinary passion.

Fragrant and soul-warming, this soup transcends mere sustenance, offering a glimpse into the heart of italian cooking.

You’ll fall in love with every magical bite that promises pure, unfiltered deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup Ingredient Checklist

• Ground Chicken: Choose fresh, lean meat with minimal fat for lighter texture.
• Sausage: Opt for mild Italian sausage to add depth of flavor.
• Bread Crumbs: Select fine, dry bread crumbs for better binding.
• Minced Garlic: Use fresh garlic for robust, aromatic taste.
• Chopped Parsley: Pick bright green, crisp herbs for maximum freshness.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Select high-quality, freshly grated cheese for rich flavor.
• Milk: Use whole milk for richer, more tender meatballs.
• Egg: Select fresh, room temperature egg for better mixing.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Choose sea salt and freshly ground pepper for enhanced seasoning.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Select firm, vibrant vegetables without blemishes.

• Chicken Stock: Choose low-sodium for better control of saltiness.
• White Wine: Select dry wine like Pinot Grigio for subtle complexity.
• Pasta: Pick small pasta shapes that complement meatball size.
• Fresh Dill: Choose fragrant, bright green sprigs.
• Spinach Leaves: Select crisp, dark green leaves.
• Extra Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated for garnish.

Cooking Tools for Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup

• Oven: Standard home baking appliance for roasting meatballs.
• Baking sheet: Flat metal tray lined with parchment paper for even cooking.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining meatball ingredients.
• Small spoon: Tool for shaping uniform tiny meatballs.
• Large soup pot: Deep cooking vessel for preparing soup base.
• Cutting board: Surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Chef's knife: Sharp kitchen tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precision tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Wooden spoon: Helpful utensil for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Ladle: Kitchen tool for serving soup into individual bowls.

Instructions to Cook Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup

• Fire Up the Culinary Arena

Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for hassle-free cooking.

• Meatball Magic

Blend ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, milk, egg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Craft small, uniform meatballs and spread them on the prepared sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until they turn golden and cook through.

• Veggie Symphony

Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery until they become soft and release their aromatic essence, about 5-6 minutes.

• Soup Transformation

Stream in chicken stock and white wine, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil. Add pasta and cook until perfectly tender. Sprinkle fresh dill and gently introduce the meatballs. Let the flavors dance together for a brief moment.

• Final Flourish

Taste and fine-tune the seasoning. Fold in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt quickly. Ladle into warm bowls, crown with a sprinkle of Parmesan, and serve immediately for a soul-warming experience.

Flavor Adjustments for Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup

• Boost Meatball Moisture: Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to ground chicken to keep meatballs incredibly juicy and tender. This trick prevents dry, crumbly texture and ensures each bite melts in your mouth.
• Herb Swap Magic: Experiment with different fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano instead of parsley. Each herb brings a unique flavor profile that can transform the entire dish's taste experience.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare meatballs and soup base in advance, storing them separately in refrigerator. When ready to serve, quickly reheat and combine components for a fast, delicious meal that tastes freshly made.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers. This simple swap makes the recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions without compromising flavor or texture.

Serve Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup with Ease

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice up a warm, rustic baguette or sourdough to soak up the delicious broth and add a satisfying crunch to your meal.
• Crisp Salad Companion: Toss a light, refreshing green salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty flavors of the chicken meatball soup.
• Wine Pairing Pleasure: Choose a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the delicate chicken and herb notes in the soup.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle some extra fresh dill or parsley on top, and add a drizzle of good olive oil for an elevated presentation that brings out the soup's vibrant flavors.

Storing Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup for Later

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain optimal taste and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate Right: Keep soup refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring it's sealed tightly to retain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freeze with Finesse: Pack cooled soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Frozen soup remains delicious for up to 3 months, perfect for quick future meals.
• Reheat Carefully: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent meatballs from breaking apart.

Hearty Barefoot Contessa Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Barefoot Contessa Italian wedding soup combines hearty meatballs with delicate greens in a comforting broth. Rich Italian flavors blend perfectly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic Mediterranean comfort dish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 0.75 lb ground chicken
• 0.5 lb chicken sausage, casings removed
• 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
• 10 cups chicken stock, homemade
• 12 oz (340 g) baby spinach, washed and trimmed
• 1 cup minced yellow onion
• 1 cup diced carrots (0.25-inch)
• 0.75 cup diced celery (0.25-inch)
• 1 cup small pasta (tubetini or stars)
• 2 tbsps good olive oil
• 0.5 cup dry white wine
• ⅔ cup fresh white bread crumbs
• 0.25 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup minced fresh dill
• 3 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsps milk
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meatball Preparation: Blend ground chicken, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, milk, egg, salt, and pepper. Form compact meatballs and distribute on parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Meatball Roasting: Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Soup Base Creation: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until tender. Introduce chicken broth and white wine, bringing to a boil.
4. Pasta Integration: Add pasta, cooking until al dente. Fold in roasted meatballs and fresh dill, allowing flavors to meld.
5. Final Flourish: Stir in spinach leaves until they wilt. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Serving Suggestion: Ladle into bowls, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese for a luxurious finish.

Notes

• Choose Quality Meat: Select fresh ground chicken and Italian sausage with balanced fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs.
• Meatball Handling Technique: Use a light touch when forming meatballs to prevent dense, tough texture; wet hands slightly to prevent sticking.
• Wine Selection Matters: Pick a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the soup’s delicate flavors without overpowering.
• Temperature Control: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure meatballs reach safe 165°F internal temperature without overcooking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg