Ingredients
8 oz ground beef
8 oz ground chicken
1/2 cup plain or Italian breadcrumbs
1/3 cup whole milk
3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
3 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
1 medium yellow onion, minced
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried dill
1/2 cup dry white wine (Chardonnay preferred)
9 – 10 cups reduced sodium chicken broth or bone broth
1 cup dried, uncooked acini di pepe pasta
5 oz chopped baby spinach
Shredded Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground chicken, breadcrumbs, whole milk, parsley, salt, oregano, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Gently mix the ingredients together until fully combined. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs to the pot and cook for about 3 minutes per side, turning to brown them all over. Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the Dutch oven and reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the minced onion, diced carrots, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Season with salt, pepper, and dill.
- Pour in the white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze, loosening any browned bits.
- Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the uncooked acini di pepe pasta and meatballs to the pot. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are fully cooked.
- During the last minute of cooking, add the chopped spinach and allow it to wilt into the soup.
- Serve hot, garnished with shredded Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, swap the meatballs for a plant-based meatball or extra vegetables.
- If you can’t find acini di pepe, substitute with orzo, pastina, or small elbow macaroni.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers, leaving room for expansion.
- Reheat by adding extra broth as necessary to reach your desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg