Healthier Italian Wedding Soup with Lemon and Garlic
Made on the stove or in the crockpot, this cozy winter soup is healthy, quick, easy, and DELICIOUS!
Servings: 6
Calories: 627kcal
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey or chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus the parmesan rind
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (or 2 tablespoons dried parsley)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried oregano)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 8-12 large cloves of garlic, smashed (use to your taste)
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 8-10 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 4-6 cups fresh baby spinach
- juice of 2 lemons (or to taste)
- 1-2 cups dry acini de pepe or orzo pasta, use more for leftovers
Instructions
Stove-Top
- 1. To make the meatballs. Add the chicken, egg, parmesan, parsley, oregano, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a bowl. Coat your hands with a bit of olive oil and roll the meat into small, 1-inch size meatballs, placing them on a baking sheet as you work. 2. To make the soup. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and smashed garlic cloves and cook 5 minutes, until golden. Add the carrots, celery, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes. Add the broth, reserved parmesan rind, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir in the meatballs. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.3. Stir in the spinach and lemon juice, cooking another 5 minutes. Remove the parmesan rind. Taste and season with salt and pepper.4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to packaged directions, until al dente. Drain.5. Divide the pasta among bowls and pour the soup over top. Top each bowl with extra parmesan, if desired.
Slow Cooker
- 1. To make the meatballs. Add the chicken, egg, parmesan, parsley, oregano, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a bowl. Coat your hands with a bit of olive oil and roll the meat into small, 1-inch size meatballs, placing them on a baking sheet as you work. 2. In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the olive oil, onion, garlic cloves, carrots, celery, broth, reserved parmesan rind, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir in the meatballs. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4-5 hours. 3. Finish as directed above.
Instant Pot
- 1. To make the meatballs. Add the chicken, egg, parmesan, parsley, oregano, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a bowl. Coat your hands with a bit of olive oil and roll the meat into small, 1-inch size meatballs, placing them on a baking sheet as you work. 2. Set Instant Pot to sauté and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the onion and smashed garlic cloves and cook 5 minutes, until golden. Add the carrots, celery, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes. Add the broth, reserved parmesan rind, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir in the meatballs. Seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. 3. Finish as directed above.
Nutrition
Calories: 627kcal