MNN - Mother Nature Network

Here on MNN, there are a plethora of beautiful soup recipes. Whether it’s one of the lovely soups from the 5 easy-to-make soups collection, a simple lentil soup recipe, thick Roasted Tomato Bisque, or a rich Hungarian Mushroom Soup, there are a wide variety of soup recipes to choose from.

 

I'm so glad as soup recipes are an absolute favorite of mine. I find them a true comfort food, and appreciate how nourishing and healthy they can be when made from scratch. (I like soups so much, I even wrote a cookbook, "Ladled: Nourishing Soups for all Seasons" on the topic!)

 

One soup recipe that many people have mentioned to me as a personal favorite is the classic Italian Wedding Soup (also referred to as simply “Wedding Soup”). This soup has a long history, with roots in Spain and then Italy. The name Wedding Soup is ironically a mistranslation of the Italian phrase “minestra maritata” which refers to meats and greens going well together. But it is a happy mistake, as this simple soup is worthy to be part of a celebration such as a wedding. It’s traditionally a mix of pasta, meatballs and a bitter green in a clear chicken broth, topped with Parmesan. With many variations it can be suited to a wide variety of ingredients and diets with success. Let’s look at some recipes.

 

Traditional recipes

1. The Italian Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis shares her recipe for Italian Wedding Soup that includes homemade meatballs and a simple preparation. This version doesn’t use pasta, but has little egg shreds in the soup as a delicious and nourishing addition.

 

2. For a slightly more “beefed up” version, Ina Garten (another Food Network star) shares a recipe for Italian Wedding Soup that includes more vegetables and chicken sausage.

 

Gluten-free and dairy-free

3. But is the soup adaptable to those on a gluten- and dairy-free diet? The answer is yes! With a few substitutions, this soup is a great choice for those on a special diet. For example this easy Italian Wedding Soup is gluten-free.

 

4. A more complex and colorful gluten-free version is the Wedding Soup recipe from The Whole Kitchen blog.

 

Low-carb and paleo-friendly

5. Speaking of diets, for those on a grain-free or low-carb diet, this recipe for Low-carb Italian Wedding Soup is not only gluten- and dairy-free, but it is also high in vegetables and low in carbohydrates.

 

6. The Fit Cookie blog also shares a paleo (low-carb and grain-free) version of Wedding Soup.

 

Vegetarian and vegan

7. Although traditionally made with meat, vegetarian versions abound now as well. For example this recipe from Vegetarian Times includes a lot of herbs and vegetable broth for a flavorful, meatless version of Wedding Soup. (I personally don’t use soy-based vegetarian meats, so this vegan recipe for soy-less meatballs would be a good choice instead of store-bought).

 

8. For a vegetarian version, this lentil meatball recipe sounds absolutely delicious, and I think would be an excellent choice for wedding soup. Use in the vegan version above.

 

As you can see, this traditional soup can be widely adapted to fit anyone’s personal preference. For that reason, I think this soup will continue to be a beloved recipe in many homes.

 

Do you have a favorite recipe for Wedding Soup? I’d love to hear about it!