Italian Wedding Soup

6 to 8

While this dish may be a beloved soup found in many Italian restaurants, Johnsonville’s Mild Italian Sausages really give this soup the authentic taste it deserves. As you enjoy a delicious soup packed with orzo, celery, carrots, and spinach, the tiny meatballs will hit you with a big, bold flavor that can only come from Johnsonville!

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Lunch, Dinner, Snacks & Apps, Soups & Stews, Pasta, Italian Sausage

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TINY MEATBALLS:
1 package
(19 ounce) JOHNSONVILLE® Mild Italian Sausage Links (or Ground Italian Sausage), removed from casing* (*Cut sausage link end to end, about three-quarters of the way through. Flip sausage link over, grasp casing and pull off.)
1
egg, lightly beaten
1 cup
bread crumbs (plain or seasoned)
2 teaspoons
fennel seeds, crushed or chopped
1 tablespoon
fresh Italian parsley, minced
1/8 teaspoon
cayenne pepper (optional)
SOUP:
2 tablespoons
extra virgin olive oil
1 medium
onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon
dried or fresh thyme
1 teaspoon
dried sage leaves
2 cloves
garlic, finely minced
1 medium
carrot, finely chopped
1 stalk
celery, finely chopped
8 cups
chicken stock
1
bay leaf
8 ounces
orzo pasta, cooked
1 cup
spinach, roughly chopped
1/3 cup
Parmesan cheese, shredded

Mix meatball ingredients together and roll small meatballs the size of a marble. (If forming the meatball is difficult, cover and refrigerate first.)
In a medium pan, cook orzo al dente, according to package directions, drain and set aside.
Prep the vegetables.
In a large pot, sauté onion, thyme and sage in olive oil. When the onion starts to turn a golden color, add garlic, carrot and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Set the vegetable mixture aside on a plate.
In the same pot, add all the meatballs and cook for 2 to 3 minutes before stirring. (This will keep them from breaking). Gently toss with a rubber spatula to brown on all sides.
Add reserved vegetables, chicken stock and bay leaf. Simmer gently (do not boil), until vegetables are tender and meatballs are cooked through.
Add cooked orzo and spinach, stir together. (Adding spinach right before serving will help it maintain its rich green color).
Garnish soup bowls with Parmesan cheese.