You’ll love this hearty and delicious healthy Italian Meatball Soup recipe. Also known as Italian Wedding Soup, this soup has a rich broth and is full of flavor from meatballs, parmesan cheese, and a ton of vegetables.
Tips for making a Healthy Italian Meatball Soup
You can make it easy on yourself by using frozen Italian vegetables and already-prepared frozen meatballs. You can also make this low-carb or gluten-free with keto or gluten-free pasta.
You can even make this recipe vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth, vegan cheese, and plant-based meat substitutes like Gardein Plant-Based Meatballs or Impossible Meatballs. (Note that calories/points will be higher with these vegetarian versions because they contain added fat.)
We have provided instructions for cooking this tasty soup in a slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in a pressure cooker.
WW Points for Healthy Italian Meatball Soup
This Italian Meatball Soup has only 379 calories and 8 WW points per generous serving. Click here to track the Weight Watchers Italian Meatball Soup recipe on the WW App.
For the lowest number of WW points, use lean turkey meatballs.
This post is current for 2024 Weight Watchers Points.
What to Serve with Italian Soup
Here are some healthy side dishes to make along with your soup:
- Breadsticks made with 2-ingredient dough.
- Side salad with light dressing or one of our oil-free dressings
- Fruit salad
- Sandwiches
- Vegetables with hummus
Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions we receive most often.
Why do they call it Italian Wedding Soup?
This soup’s name comes from the Italian phrase “minestra maritata,” which translates in English to “married soup”. It represents the marriage of all the delicious ingredients in this soup that come together for a fantastic flavor!
What exactly is it?
Italian wedding soup is a rich, brothy soup made with vegetables like spinach, carrots, celery, and onions, plus meatballs, beef broth, and whole wheat pasta, usually ditalini.
What are the meatballs made of?
The meatballs for this recipe are super easy, especially if you choose to buy frozen meatballs. If you make your own meatballs, you only need ground meat like turkey or chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix everything, roll it into balls, and then sauté them in the Instant Pot or a pan on the stovetop for 7-8 minutes until they’re browned. Check out this Zero Point Meatball recipe here as another option.
Can you freeze this Italian Meatball soup?
Yes, you can. This is a great freezer meal recipe and meal prep recipe. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months in glass containers or Ziploc bags. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs for up to 3 months (just make sure to flash-freeze them on a tray first).
To thaw, let the soup sit in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in the microwave. You can also reheat it from frozen in a pot on the stovetop.
How to Make Healthy Italian Meatball Soup – with Step-by-Step Photos
Step 1 – Gather ingredients and chop vegetables
Combine all ingredients except spinach, pasta, and parmesan in the slow cooker.
Step 2 – Cook on low for 6-7 hours in a crockpot/slow cooker
If you are using your stovetop or Instant Pot, see the instructions below.
Step 3 – When cooking time is complete add the pasta.
Stir in pasta, and cook on high for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Step 4 – Add spinach and cook until wilted.
Garnish with parmesan, serve, and enjoy.
Instant Pot Instructions
Combine all ingredients except spinach, pasta, and parmesan in the Instant Pot inner pot. Close and lock the lid and set it to seal. Push the “Soup” button and set for 10 minutes. (Total cook time will be longer since it will need time to come to pressure.) Once the timer goes off, allow for a natural release for 5 minutes. Then, set it to vent, taking care not to get burned by the steam. Once all steam is released, remove the lid. Push the “Sauté” button. Add pasta and cook until noodles are soft yet firm about 6 minutes. Turn off Instant Pot. Stir in spinach and serve. Sprinkle with Parmesan in individual bowls.
Stove Top Instructions
Combine all ingredients except spinach, pasta, and parmesan in a large soup pot. Place on a stove burner over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil, then turn the heat to medium so the soup simmer (tiny boil). Cook for 15 minutes. Add pasta and cook until noodles are soft yet firm, about 6 minutes more. Turn off the heat. Stir in spinach and serve. Sprinkle with Parmesan in individual bowls.
Delicious and Healthy Italian Meatball Soup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 onion diced
- 1 cup Italian vegetable mix frozen, or frozen veggie mix of choice
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 dash pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 item bay leaf
- 12 oz turkey meatballs frozen or homemade
- 32 oz beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 5 oz dry white wine optional
- 2 cans diced tomatoes 15 ounces each
- 1 cup whole wheat pasta
- 1 cup spinach fresh, cut into ribbons
- 4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese to garnish bowls at serving
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except spinach, pasta, and parmesan in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
- Stir in pasta, and cook on high for 15 minute or until pasta is tender.
- Add spinach, cook until wilted.
- Garnish with parmesan, serve, and enjoy!
Instant Pot Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except spinach, pasta, and parmesan in the Instant Pot inner pot. Close and lock lid and set to seal. Push "Soup" button and set for 10 minutes. (The total cook time will be longer since it will need time to come to pressure.)
- Once the timer goes off, allow to natural release for 5 minutes. Then set to vent, taking care not to get burned from steam. Once all steam is released, remove the lid.
- Push the "Sauté" button. Add pasta and cook until noodles are soft yet still a bit firm, about 6 minutes.
- Turn off Instant Pot. Stir in spinach and serve. Sprinkle with Parmesan in individual bowls.
Stove Top Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except spinach, pasta, and parmesan in a large soup pot. Place on stove burner over high heat. Bring to a rolling boil, then turn heat to medium so that soup is simmering (tiny boil). Cook for 15 minutes.
- Add pasta and cook until noodles are soft yet still a bit firm, about 6 minutes more.
- Turn off heat. Stir in spinach.
- To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan in individual bowls.
WW Information
WW Changes November 2024
The WW program may be changing the Zero point food list. Stay tuned for updated recipe information. -Sara
Notes
- Combine all ingredients except pasta and Parmesan.
- Pour into a freezer container or zipper bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Measure, bag, and mark pasta and Parmesan, then store in the pantry until the day of serving.
Nutrition
The Weight Watchers Point value of these recipes was calculated by this website and is provided for informational purposes only. This is not an endorsement, sponsorship, or approval of this website or its recipes by WW International, Inc.
More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love
Weight Watchers Buffalo Turkey Meatballs – A hearty appetizer or dinner.
10 Best Weight Watchers Comfort Food Recipes – Try these instead of take-out.
WW Zero Point Chili Recipe – Just 5 easy steps.
WW Zero Point Vegetable Soup Recipe – Perfect as a snack to keep you satisfied.
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup Recipe – Kid approved and a husband favorite.
What’s your favorite healthy comfort food recipe? Share in the comments.
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