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Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup: A Delicious 30-Minute Meal

Craving a comforting and flavorful soup that’s ready in a flash? Look no further than this Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup recipe! This hearty soup is packed with savory meatballs, tender vegetables, and a rich, satisfying broth, making it the perfect meal for a chilly evening or a busy weeknight.

Bowl of Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

This isn’t your grandma’s all-day simmering soup. With the magic of the Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker), you can enjoy a bowl of delicious Italian Wedding Soup in just 30 minutes! It’s a convenient and healthy way to bring the flavors of Italy to your table.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • One-Pot Wonder: The Instant Pot does all the work, minimizing cleanup.
  • Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences and dietary needs.
  • Hearty and Healthy: Packed with protein, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients.
  • Ultimate Comfort Food: The perfect way to warm up on a cool day.

Key Ingredients for Italian Wedding Soup

Two Bowls of Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

Traditional Italian Wedding Soup is known for its harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients:

  • Broth: Chicken broth is the classic base, providing a rich and savory foundation for the soup. You can use store-bought or homemade.
  • Meat: Meatballs are the star of the show! Traditionally, they’re made with a combination of ground beef and pork, but this recipe uses ground turkey for a lighter twist.
  • Greens: Leafy greens add a boost of nutrients and a touch of bitterness that balances the richness of the broth and meatballs. Popular choices include kale, spinach, escarole, endive, and cabbage. This recipe features kale.
  • Pasta: Small pasta shapes like orzo or acini di pepe add a comforting carbohydrate element to the soup.
  • Vegetables: Onion, garlic, and carrots provide aromatic depth and sweetness to the soup.

This version of Italian Wedding Soup lightens things up a bit. Ground turkey replaces the traditional ground beef and pork in the meatballs, and extra carrots are added for sweetness and texture. A generous amount of kale adds a nutritional punch and a pleasant earthy flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

Close-up Bowl of Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup

This recipe was originally created with stovetop instructions, but it’s been updated to include easy and convenient directions for the Instant Pot and other electric pressure cookers like the Ninja Foodi.

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, egg, and parsley. Mix well and form into small meatballs (about 1-inch in diameter).

Meatball mixture in a bowl

  1. Sauté the Meatballs: Turn on the Instant Pot’s sauté function. Add olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides. This step adds flavor and helps them hold their shape. Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Meatballs being formed

  1. Sauté the Vegetables: Add diced onion, carrots, and minced garlic to the Instant Pot and sauté until softened.

Meatballs sauteing in the Instant Pot

  1. Add the Remaining Ingredients: Return the meatballs to the Instant Pot. Add orzo pasta and pour in chicken broth. Top with chopped kale.

Meatballs covered in broth in the Instant Pot

  1. Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the pressure release valve is set to “Sealing”. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.

Kale added to soup in the Instant Pot

  1. Quick Release: Once the cooking time is up, carefully perform a quick release to release the pressure.

Italian Wedding Soup cooking in the Instant Pot

  1. Serve and Enjoy: Open the lid and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

This Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup is delicious on its own as a satisfying main course. However, it can also be served as a delightful side dish to complement a variety of meals. Consider pairing it with:

  • Crusty Bread: A slice of warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious broth.
  • Salad: A fresh salad provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.

Summer Corn Quinoa Caprese Salad
Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread
Melon Prosciutto Caprese Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the name “Italian Wedding Soup” come from?
The name comes from the Italian phrase “minestra maritata,” which means “married soup.” It refers to the marriage of flavors between the meat and the greens, not an actual wedding!
How should I store leftover soup?
Let the soup cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. If freezing, leave some room at the top of the container as the soup will expand.

More Delicious Soup Recipes

If you enjoyed this Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup, be sure to check out my other soup recipes for more comforting and flavorful meal ideas!

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe (Stovetop, Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)

Italian Wedding Soup Image

A hearty and delicious soup perfect for any occasion!

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Servings: 6

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground turkey meat
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
  • ½ cup finely chopped carrots
  • ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ cup uncooked orzo pasta
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped kale

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, dried basil, egg, and parsley. Form 1-1/2″ meatballs.
  2. Instant Pot/Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker Instructions
    1. Sauté meatballs in the pot with olive oil until browned. Remove and set aside.
    2. Sauté carrots, onions, and garlic until soft.
    3. Return meatballs to the pot. Add orzo and chicken broth. Top with kale.
    4. Pressure cook on HI for 3 minutes, then quick release.
    5. Serve immediately.
  3. Stovetop Instructions
    1. Brown meatballs in a large Dutch oven. Remove and set aside.
    2. Add carrots, onion, and garlic to the pot and sauté.
    3. Return meatballs to the pot. Add orzo and chicken broth.
    4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and add kale. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Slow Cooker Instructions
    1. Brown meatballs in a skillet.
    2. Add meatballs and all remaining ingredients to the slow cooker.
    3. Slow cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.

Recipe Notes:

  • Substitutions:
    • Use ground beef or ground pork instead of ground turkey.
    • Use spinach or escarole instead of kale.
  • Storage: Allow the soup to cool, then refrigerate for up to four days or freeze for up to two months.

Enjoy!

Italian Wedding Soup Pin

Enjoy this heartwarming and flavorful Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup! It’s the perfect quick and easy meal for any occasion.