Cozy Italian Wedding Soup Recipe (Healthy, High Protein & Perfect for Weight Loss)
Soup is everyone’s favorite, but if it’s an Italian soup, then the experience is unforgettable. Today, I will share with you a wonderful non-veg soup recipe that is very popularly called Italian Wedding Soup and can be prepared in many ways. It is a cozy, high protein Italian Wedding Soup packed with juicy meatballs, tender greens, pasta, and a rich chicken broth – perfect for healthy dinner ideas, weight loss meals, and clean eating recipes.
This healthy Italian wedding soup with chicken meatballs is light, high in protein, and absolutely loaded with flavor – without feeling heavy or greasy like some restaurant soups. My Italian Wedding Soup Recipe brings together juicy homemade meatballs, delicate pasta, and fresh spinach simmered in a deeply comforting chicken broth. It’s the kind of low calorie comfort food you crave on cold nights, but it also fits into weight loss soup recipes, heart healthy recipes, and even high protein meals for busy families.
Moreover, not only as a meal prep, this low carb Italian wedding soup is a great winter immune boosting soup that can be consumed daily in the winter if desired. Also, this is one of my favorite winter soup recipes.
Related: Saland-e Nakhod Recipe
Italian Wedding Soup Recipe (Classic, Healthy & Comforting)
Italian Wedding Soup is a classic Italian-American comfort food made with tender meatballs, nutrient-rich greens, aromatic vegetables, and delicate pasta simmered in a savory broth. This soup is perfect for winter dinners, immune-boosting meals, meal prep, and healthy comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 250g ground chicken or turkey
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs or almond flour (low-carb option)
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
For the Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (bone broth option for collagen & immunity)
- ¾ cup acini di pepe or orzo pasta
- 3 cups fresh spinach or escarole
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Optional: Red chili flakes for heat
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
In a large bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Roll into small bite-sized meatballs.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Carefully drop in the meatballs and simmer for 8–10 minutes until cooked through.
Step 4: Add Pasta & Greens
Stir in pasta and cook until tender. Add spinach or escarole and cook for 2 more minutes.
Step 5: Season & Serve
Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot with extra Parmesan.
Notes
- Use bone broth for gut health & immunity boosting benefits
- For a low-carb Italian wedding soup, replace pasta with zucchini noodles
- Make it keto-friendly using almond flour, meatballs and cauliflower rice
- Add lemon zest at the end for a fresh flavor boost
- Great for freezer meal prep & healthy dinner planning
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 345Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1720mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 6gSugar: 5gProtein: 24g
Why It’s Called “Italian Wedding Soup” (And What It Really Means)
Have you ever wondered why this comforting Italian wedding soup recipe has such a romantic name? Let’s dispel that thought and find out in simple terms what it is called, which I think you might find very interesting.
What Does “Minestra Maritata” Mean?
In Italy, this soup is known as minestra maritata. Literally translated, it means “married soup”. The idea is that the ingredients – usually flavorful meatballs, rich broth, and tender greens like spinach or escarole – are “married together” in perfect harmony.
So when you’re making this authentic Italian wedding soup, you’re really creating a beautiful balance of:
- Meat – for protein, flavor and satisfaction (great for weight loss meals and high protein dinners).
- Greens – for vitamins, minerals, and fiber (ideal for gut health and clean eating recipes).
- Broth & pasta – for comfort, warmth, and that classic Italian soup feel.
Is Italian Wedding Soup Actually Served at Weddings?
Funny enough, most Italians don’t think of this as a fancy wedding dish. Traditionally, it was more of a home-style, rustic soup — something you’d enjoy as a comforting meal rather than a special-occasion showpiece.
The name “Italian Wedding Soup” became popular in English because people translated minestra maritata literally and assumed it was “wedding soup.” Over time, this name stuck in cookbooks, restaurants and food blogs, especially in the US.
So when you serve this bowl, you’re not just enjoying a traditional Italian recipe – you’re making a smart, nutrient-dense, high-protein dinner that supports weight management, gut health, and overall wellness.
Related: Authentic Italian Beef Braciole Recipe
Why This Italian Wedding Soup Recipe Is Actually Good For You
This healthy Italian wedding soup is not just cozy comfort food — it’s a high protein soup for dinner, great for weight loss meals, immune support, and smart meal prep if you care about your health, your energy, and your budget.
High-Protein, Weight Loss Friendly Soup
Thanks to the lean chicken or turkey meatballs, this Italian wedding soup recipe is naturally high in protein and surprisingly low in calories. That means you stay full longer, fight cravings, and make smarter choices at your next meal.
- Supports fat loss and weight management
- Perfect as a light dinner or weight loss meal
- Great for high protein diet plans and fitness goals
Immune-Boosting Soup for Cold & Flu Season
The combination of chicken broth, garlic, carrots, celery, and leafy greens makes this a comforting winter immune boosting soup. It’s a warm, soothing bowl that many people reach for when they feel run-down, stressed, or are trying to avoid seasonal flu and colds.
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins A & C from veggies
- Warm broth helps with hydration and soothing sore throat
- Perfect as an immune boosting dinner idea on cold nights
Gentle on Digestion, Gut Health & Bone Broth Friendly
If you use a quality chicken bone broth, this homemade Italian wedding soup can be amazing for gut health and digestion. The warm liquid, soft veggies, and tender meatballs are easy on the stomach and fit beautifully into clean eating recipes and whole food diets.
- Great option for sensitive stomachs
- Supports gut lining when made with bone broth
- Easy to adapt for gluten free or low carb diets
Heart-Healthy, Diabetic-Friendly & Family Approved
When you choose lean meat, use low-sodium broth, and control the pasta portion, this healthy Italian wedding soup can be adapted as a heart-healthy recipe and a more diabetic friendly meal. It’s a comfort food that still respects your health goals.
- Can be made lower carb for blood sugar control
- Fits into many balanced diet plans
- Family-friendly, kid-approved comfort food with better ingredients
Related: Easy Pasta Pie Recipe
How to Make Authentic, Healthy Italian Wedding Soup (Easy, High-Protein & Family-Friendly)
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1 Prep the Juicy MeatballsMix the Lean Meatballs for a High-Protein Italian Wedding Soup
In a large mixing bowl, combine your ground chicken or turkey, breadcrumbs (or almond flour for a low carb Italian Wedding Soup), grated Parmesan, minced garlic, fresh parsley, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to gently mix until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing — that’s the secret to soft, restaurant-style meatballs in this healthy Italian Wedding Soup recipe.
Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs. Smaller meatballs cook faster and give you a better meat-to-broth ratio, perfect for a high protein, low calorie comfort food dinner.
Choose lean chicken or turkey to keep this high protein soup for dinner lighter and ideal for weight loss meal plans and clean eating recipes. -
2 Build the Flavor BaseSauté Onion, Carrot & Celery for a Rich, Comforting Soup Broth
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and turn slightly golden. This classic combination, called soffritto, is the heart of authentic Italian soup recipes and gives this Italian Wedding Soup its deep, homemade flavor.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant. This step turns a simple broth into a restaurant-quality, immune-boosting soup that feels like a hug in a bowl — perfect for winter, colds, and busy weeknights.
For more flavor and better gut health, use extra virgin olive oil and low-sodium ingredients — ideal for heart-healthy recipes and diabetic-friendly dinners. -
3 Simmer the MeatballsAdd Bone Broth & Simmer the Meatballs for Extra Collagen and Flavor
Pour in your chicken broth or bone broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Bone broth is a powerful immune boosting food and supports gut health, making this Italian Wedding Soup a smart choice for anyone looking for healthy dinner ideas that also taste amazing.
Carefully drop the prepared meatballs into the hot broth, one at a time. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and floating. Season with a pinch of dried oregano, salt, and pepper. At this stage, your kitchen will smell like a cozy Italian trattoria — perfect for family-friendly weeknight dinners.
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4 Add Pasta & GreensStir in Pasta and Leafy Greens for a Complete, Balanced Meal
Once the meatballs are cooked, stir in your pasta (like acini di pepe or orzo) and let it simmer until tender. This turns your Italian Wedding Soup recipe into a truly satisfying one pot dinner that works beautifully for meal prep, busy families, and budget-conscious home cooks.
Add fresh spinach or escarole and cook for 1–2 minutes until just wilted. These leafy greens are packed with vitamins and minerals, making this a high protein, nutrient-dense soup that fits perfectly into weight loss meal plans, clean eating recipes, and heart healthy diets.
Low carb option: Skip the pasta and add more greens or zucchini noodles to create a keto-friendly Italian Wedding Soup that’s still warm, cozy, and incredibly filling. -
5 Finish & ServeTaste, Adjust & Serve a Cozy Bowl of Italian Wedding Soup
Give the soup a final stir and taste the broth. Adjust salt, pepper, and chili flakes to your liking. Ladle the Italian Wedding Soup into warm bowls and top with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon, if you like. Each bowl offers a balanced mix of lean meat, vegetables, greens, and comforting broth — exactly what you want from a healthy, high protein comfort food dinner.
Serve this homemade Italian Wedding Soup recipe with crusty bread, garlic toast, or a light salad. It’s perfect for winter dinner ideas, budget-friendly family meals, and weight loss friendly soups that still feel awesome and satisfying.
Meal prep tip: This soup keeps well in the fridge for a few days and reheats beautifully, making it a smart choice for weekly meal planning, healthy office lunches, and high protein soup containers you can grab and go.
Suggested: Sourdough Focaccia Recipe
Delicious Italian Wedding Soup Variations
Everyone loves a classic Italian Wedding Soup Recipe, but small tweaks can turn this cozy bowl into the perfect keto dinner, weight loss soup, high protein meal prep, or family-friendly comfort food. Choose the variation that matches your lifestyle, diet, and budget.
Keto Italian Wedding Soup (Low Carb & High Protein)
For a keto Italian wedding soup that still tastes rich and comforting, skip the pasta and swap in zucchini noodles or small cauliflower florets. Use almond flour in the meatballs and a collagen-rich bone broth for an ultra low carb, high protein dinner that supports weight loss, blood sugar control, and fat-burning meal plans.
Gluten Free Italian Wedding Soup
Need a gluten free soup recipe? Use certified gluten free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten free crackers in the meatballs, and swap the pasta with gluten free orzo or rice. You still get the same cozy, traditional flavor, but in a way that’s perfect for gut health, celiac-friendly dinners, and anti-bloat meal prep.
Lean & High Protein Italian Wedding Soup
If you’re focused on weight loss meals and high protein recipes, use extra-lean ground turkey or chicken, reduce the pasta slightly, and load up on extra spinach or kale. This version becomes a filling weight loss soup that keeps you full for hours, ideal for calorie deficit, intermittent fasting, and clean eating plans.
Crockpot Italian Wedding Soup
Turn this into an easy crockpot Italian wedding soup for busy weekdays. Add broth, veggies, and raw meatballs to your slow cooker and let it simmer for several hours. Stir in pasta and greens near the end. This hands-off method is perfect for family dinners, budget-friendly meal prep, and stress-free healthy cooking.
Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup
For a fast 30-minute healthy dinner, make Instant Pot Italian wedding soup. Pressure cook the broth, veggies, and meatballs, then use sauté mode to cook the pasta at the end. It’s a game-changer for busy professionals, working parents, and students looking for quick, high protein meals.
Vegan Italian Wedding Soup (Plant Based)
Want a plant based, dairy free Italian wedding soup? Use veggie broth, vegan “meatballs” (lentil, chickpea, or tofu-based), and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. This variation is perfect for vegan meal prep, cholesterol-conscious eaters, and heart healthy diets, while still feeling like classic Italian comfort food.
Related: Creamy Corn Chowder Recipe
What to Serve with Italian Wedding Soup (Best Sides & Pairings)
Here I share with you some of my favorite serving ideas that you can try for Italian wedding soup recipe.
Classic Italian Sides (Cozy & Comforting)
For a cozy, restaurant-style Italian dinner, pair your Italian wedding soup with these classic carbs and sides. They’re perfect for weekends, date nights, and family-style comfort food.
- Crispy Garlic Bread – the #1 side dish people search for with Italian soup; great for dipping into the rich broth.
- Cheesy Garlic Knots – a kid-friendly side that feels like a restaurant treat.
- Herb Focaccia Bread – soft, olive-oil rich bread that matches the Mediterranean flavors of the soup.
- Classic Caesar Salad – crunchy, creamy and salty; balances the light broth and meatballs.
- Antipasto Platter – olives, cured meats, cheese and roasted peppers for a full Italian-style dinner spread.
Light & Healthy Sides (Weight Loss Friendly)
Need low calorie side dishes so your Italian wedding soup still fits your weight loss meal plan? These options keep calories low but nutrition and satisfaction high.
- Simple Mixed Green Salad – with lemon vinaigrette for a fresh, low-fat pairing.
- Roasted Seasonal Vegetables – fiber-rich, budget friendly and ideal for clean eating dinners.
- Tomato & Cucumber Salad – a refreshing side that adds crunch without a lot of extra calories.
- Air Fryer Broccoli or Green Beans – low oil, high fiber and perfect for quick weeknight meals.
- Light Quinoa Salad – adds extra plant-based protein and keeps the dinner balanced.
Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly Sides
For a keto Italian wedding soup (with low-carb meatballs and no pasta), pair it with these keto side dishes to keep your meal blood sugar friendly and low in net carbs.
- Keto Garlic Bread (Almond Flour) – cheesy, garlicky and perfect for dipping into the broth.
- Cauliflower Rice “Pilaf” – serve on the side or spoon some into the soup instead of pasta.
- Baked Zucchini Fries – a fun, crispy side that keeps things light but satisfying.
- Caprese Salad (Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil) – a classic Italian combo that pairs beautifully with meatball soup.
- Low-Carb Stuffed Mushrooms – great when you want a slightly fancier, yet still healthy, dinner.
If you’re feeding kids or guests and want a more indulgent feel, go for garlic bread, focaccia or cheesy knots. This balance helps you keep your calories under control while still enjoying a cozy comfort food meal.
Related: Chicken Cobbler Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Yes, Italian wedding soup can be very healthy, especially when you make it at home. This version is a high protein soup for dinner with lean meatballs, lots of veggies and greens, and a light broth. That means you get filling protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, without the heavy cream or deep-fried ingredients that many high-calorie comfort foods contain.
For weight loss, the key is portion size and what you serve with it. Pair your bowl with a simple salad instead of garlic bread if you are tracking calories, or choose a smaller pasta portion. Many readers use this as a regular weight loss meal prep soup because it’s satisfying, low in calories and easy to track.
On average, a homemade bowl of this Italian wedding soup recipe comes in at around 250–320 calories per serving, depending on how much pasta and cheese you add. Because it is mostly lean meat, vegetables and broth, it fits well into a low calorie dinner or macro friendly meal plan.
Traditional Italian wedding soup is not fully keto because of the pasta and breadcrumbs in the meatballs. But with two small tweaks, it becomes a fantastic keto friendly, low carb soup recipe that still tastes authentic and comforting.
To make it keto:
1) Swap the breadcrumbs in the meatballs for almond flour or
finely grated Parmesan.
2) Replace the pasta with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice
or shredded cabbage.
Yes, this is one of the easiest soups to turn into a gluten free Italian wedding soup recipe. You only need to change two ingredients:
• Use gluten free pasta (or rice) instead of regular
pasta.
• Swap regular breadcrumbs in the meatballs for
gluten free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
Absolutely. This Italian wedding soup recipe is one of those dishes that actually tastes better the next day because the flavors have more time to marry – just like the name suggests. It’s perfect for make ahead dinners and healthy meal prep for work or school.
Yes, you can definitely turn this into a freezer friendly Italian wedding soup. The meatballs, veggies and broth all freeze beautifully. The only thing to watch is the pasta, which can get a bit soft if frozen and reheated.
To reheat from the fridge or freezer, warm it gently on the stovetop over medium heat until piping hot. If the broth has thickened, just splash in a little extra water or chicken broth. This makes a great option for budget friendly family freezer meals.
Many people reach for Italian wedding soup when they’re feeling run down because it’s warm, soothing and packed with nutrients. When you use a quality chicken broth or bone broth, lean protein and plenty of veggies, it becomes a naturally immune boosting soup.
Traditionally, Italian wedding soup uses a blend of meats, but for a healthier, heart friendly and high protein version, lean ground chicken or ground turkey works beautifully. They give you all the flavor of classic meatballs with fewer saturated fats.
Yes, you can easily adapt this Italian wedding soup recipe for a slow cooker or Instant Pot if you love hands-off cooking.
• Slow cooker: Brown or sear the meatballs first for
extra flavor, then add everything except the pasta and greens to the
crockpot and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours. Stir in pasta and greens near
the end.
• Instant Pot: Use Sauté mode for the veggies and
meatballs, then cook on Manual/Pressure for a short time, adding pasta
after pressure release so it doesn’t overcook.
Both methods are perfect for busy weeknight dinners and make this already simple soup even easier.
The beauty of Italian wedding soup is that it already has protein, carbs and veggies in one bowl. Still, if you want a more complete meal, here are some easy, delicious ideas:
• For a lighter, weight loss friendly dinner: serve
it with a simple green salad dressed in olive oil and lemon.
• For a cozy, indulgent night: add warm crusty bread, garlic bread or
a slice of focaccia.
• For a balanced family meal: pair with roasted veggies or a small
pasta side dish.
Related: Italian Beef Braciole Recipe
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