Meatballs, chicken stock, greens and orzo pasta are married into this soup; delicious and nourishing soup. A perfect soup for the soul…
This is an Italian American soup, popular in America and is served at most Italian restaurants here. I’d this soup a few weeks ago at an Italian restaurant, I instantly fell for it and enjoyed every sip of it with a Mmmm sound. That was the first time I tried this soup, I tasted every bit of it and understood the ingredients in it. Guess what was going in my mind? Of course, to recreate this soup in my kitchen.
This soup has a perfect blend of meatballs, greens and orzo (or any tiny pasta). A bowl of this soup will energize you and make your tastebuds dance. However, you wouldn’t be satisfied with just one bowl, you will need more. Without a doubt, this is a complete soup and goes along well with dinner rolls or baguette.
I used kale leaves, you could use spinach or endive instead.
Preparation Pictures
- Ground chicken or beef- ½ lb
- Ground pepper- ¼ tsp
- Italian seasoning- 1½ tsp
- Onion, chopped small- ½ of a medium sized onion
- Breadcrumbs- ¼ cup
- Parmesan cheese- ¼ cup (optional)
- Parsley, chopped- 1 handful
- Salt- a few pinches
- Chicken stock, low-sodium- 8 cups
- Kale or spinach chopped small- 1½ cups
- Orzo or pearl pasta- ¾ cup
- Italian seasoning- 1 tsp
- Ground pepper- a few pinches
- Salt- to taste
- Parmesan cheese, grated- to top the soup
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients to make the meat balls.
- You could use either ground beef or chicken or a combination of both.
- Make very small balls out of the meatball mixture, around 25 to 30 small balls. Keep aside. (Any leftover meatball mixture can be made into patties, grill or bake it).
- Pour the chicken stock into a large soup pot and place over medium heat, let the stock come to a slight boil.
- Gently drop the meatballs and cook covered for 8 minutes, or till meatballs are cooked through.
- Add the chopped kale leaves or spinach. Cook covered for a couple of minutes.
- Add orzo or pearl pasta, cook covered for 7 to 8 minutes till pasta turns tender, these pastas cook very fast.
- Add Italian seasoning and ground pepper.
- Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Lower the heat and let the soup simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve into a soup bowl, if needed sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and enjoy every sip of it.
