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Panera Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

Panera Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

4.50 from 4 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
20 minutes
Total Time: 44 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Enjoy Panera-style Italian Wedding Soup at home! Tender meatballs, ditalini pasta, and fresh spinach simmered in a savory broth make this cozy, family-friendly soup a quick and easy meal.

Ingredients 

Homemade Meatballs:

  • 1 pound ground meat
  • 1/4 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Soup Ingredients:

  • 64 ounces chicken broth, or chicken stock
  • 6 ounces ditalini pasta
  • 8 ounces frozen spinach

Instructions

  • Start by making the meatballs in a large mixing bowl. Mix the 1 pound ground meat, 1/4 cup Italian Bread Crumbs 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.  Mix well. Then roll them out on a greased baking sheet (about 1 teaspoon). Pop into the freezer for about 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix well with the 64 ounces chicken broth (stock), 8 ounces frozen spinach, and 6 ounces ditalini pasta to the Instant Pot. Then add the frozen meatballs. Add the lid to the Instant Pot, ensure the vent is sealed, set the manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
  • Removed from the Instant Pot, open the lid (it should freely open, NEVER force a cover open). Mix well. Season with additional salt and pepper, and garnish with Parmesan cheese if you would like.
  • Plate, serve, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker, Ninja Foodi, or Instant Pot
  • Ladle

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Meat: The perfect meatball recipe for any meal! Use beef, chicken, or turkey to make these tasty bites. You can also use diced Italian sausages if you wish.
Vegetables: You can add veggies like carrots or green beans to the soup. Or you could use kale instead of spinach and endive for something with more flavor!
Pasta: You can substitute out ditalini pasta for elbow macaroni or orzo.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 20gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 1163mgPotassium: 393mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3395IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 3mg