Italian Wedding Soup

We loved this soup so much growing up. My mother always had us helping roll the little meatballs… but only after we washed our hands first!! And the best part was always piling on the grated cheese before digging in.

My mother even packed this soup in a Thermos for me and my sisters so we could have it for lunch at school. She would carefully wrap a piece of fresh Italian bread in Saran Wrap so it stayed soft and fresh because, in our family, you never ate soup without bread.

Looking back now, I realize those little things were really huge acts of love. My mother poured her heart into taking care of our family every single day. She is the backbone of our family, the strongest woman I know, and she taught my sisters and me to be just as strong, loving, hardworking, and devoted to our own families. I cherish every sacrifice she made and every tradition she passed down to us. Those memories are worth more than anything.

Italian Wedding Soup is not actually named after weddings or marriage ceremonies. It comes from the Neapolitan phrase minestra maritata, meaning “married soup.” The “marriage” refers to the beautiful harmony of tender meat and leafy greens coming together in a rich, comforting broth.

It originated in Naples as part of la cucina povera (peasant cooking), where families used simple ingredients they had on hand to create something nourishing and unforgettable. That beautiful tradition has been passed down through generations… and now I’m honored to share it with you.