Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup, a culinary delight that seamlessly blends traditional flavors with modern convenience, is poised to become your new family favorite. This recipe, featuring either pressure cooker frozen meatballs or tender homemade ones, along with a handful of wholesome ingredients, creates a nourishing and incredibly satisfying meal. Whether you own a Ninja Foodi or another brand of electric pressure cooker, this healthy soup is a testament to how effortlessly delicious and quick weeknight dinners can be.
If the thought of making Instant Pot Italian wedding soup from scratch seems daunting, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. This rich, flavorful soup, traditionally known as “minestra maritata,” meaning “married soup” due to the harmonious “marriage” of its ingredients, is truly a treat for the senses. While many have enjoyed it in a slow cooker over the years, adapting it for the Instant Pot means you can achieve that same depth of flavor in a fraction of the time. It’s a stellar addition to any collection of Instant Pot recipes, delivering incredible taste with remarkable efficiency. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Whipping Up Italian Wedding Soup in Your Ninja Foodi or Any Pressure Cooker
The versatility of this Italian Wedding Soup recipe means it can be prepared in any electric pressure cooker you own. Whether it’s a Mealthy, a classic Instant Pot (IP), a Crockpot Express, or a Ninja Foodi, this dish will yield fantastic results. Its simplicity and robust flavor profile make it an ideal easy Ninja Foodi recipe that consistently impresses.
One of the beauties of this recipe lies in its adaptability when it comes to meatballs. Have some leftover meatballs from a previous meal? They’ll work perfectly! For ultimate convenience, learn how to cook frozen meatballs directly in your pressure cooker, ensuring they’re as tender and flavorful as homemade. While traditionalists might prefer a meat-filled soup, a vegetarian version is also possible by simply omitting the meatballs. For our family, however, the meatballs are undeniably the star of the show. Plus, this soup reheats beautifully the next day, making it a perfect candidate for meal prep or a quick lunch – truly a win-win scenario.
For those new to the world of pressure cooking, embarking on your culinary journey with easy, one-pot meals like this soup is an excellent starting point. To help you get acquainted with your appliance and master pressure cooking basics, here are a few essential tips:
- Make sure to Bookmark our comprehensive InstaPot recipes page. We consistently update it with new and exciting dishes each week, ensuring a constant source of inspiration for your pressure cooking adventures.
- Next, be sure to PRINT this incredibly useful resource: a detailed Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. This invaluable guide will demystify cooking durations for various ingredients like meats, vegetables, and beans, helping you achieve perfectly cooked results every time.
- I HIGHLY recommend investing in a quality non-stick inner pot for your pressure cooker. This upgrade significantly enhances your cooking experience.
- While knowing how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing is a fundamental skill for pressure cooking, a non-stick liner minimizes the chances of food sticking, making clean-up and overall cooking much smoother.
For context, the model I frequently use for all my recipe creations is a 6-quart Instant Pot, a perfectly sized appliance for most family meals.
The astonishing speed of this meal is one of its greatest advantages; it requires only 3 minutes of pressure cooking time! This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is of the essence. Feel free to skip directly to the recipe below, or take a moment to review some common questions you might have before you begin:
Making authentic Italian wedding soup is simpler than you might think. Our recipe guides you through the process, requiring just a few staple ingredients. You have the flexibility to either use high-quality frozen meatballs for ultimate convenience or craft your own homemade meatballs for an extra touch of personalized flavor.
The original Italian name for this beloved soup is “minestra maritata.” This beautiful phrase translates to “married soup,” aptly describing how the diverse ingredients—like savory meatballs, tender greens, and delicate pasta—harmoniously “marry” their flavors together in a single, comforting pot.
While the soup is undeniably at its best when enjoyed fresh on the day it’s made, any leftovers can certainly be frozen for future enjoyment. To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it into freezer-safe, airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, it will maintain its quality for up to 2-3 months.
This recipe can be executed beautifully in any electric high-pressure cooking machine. When it comes to the noodles, if you cannot find the specific variety recommended, opt for the smallest pasta shape you can find; tiny pasta is key to the traditional texture of Italian Wedding Soup.
Essential Ingredients for Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup
Crafting this delightful soup requires a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients:
- Meatballs: Choose between pre-made frozen meatballs for convenience or make your own from ground sausage, beef, or even ground turkey for a leaner option. Frozen mini meatballs work wonderfully and can be added directly (defrosted) into the mix.
- Carrots: Peeled and cut into small, delicate coins or diced. Smaller pieces will soften more readily and integrate seamlessly into the soup.
- Onion: Sliced or finely diced, onions are indispensable for building a rich flavor base and adding a subtle texture to the broth.
- Escarole: This slightly bitter, leafy green is a hallmark of authentic Italian Wedding Soup, providing a wonderful freshness and depth. If unavailable, spinach or baby kale can be a suitable substitute.
- Tiny Noodles: We prefer Pastina for its delicate size, which cooks perfectly in the pressure cooker without becoming mushy. Alternatively, acini di pepe or orzo pasta also work beautifully.
- Chicken Broth or Stock: The foundation of any great soup. High-quality chicken broth or stock is paramount, as it infuses the entire dish with savory richness far superior to plain water. Feel free to use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
Using a good quality broth is crucial for the soup’s overall flavor profile. It imparts a savory depth that water simply cannot replicate. Select your preferred type – chicken broth offers classic flavor, but vegetable broth is also an excellent choice, adding its own unique nuances.
The Enduring Appeal of Italian Wedding Soup, Especially with Frozen Meatballs
There are numerous reasons why this Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup has earned its place as a beloved staple in our kitchen:
- Perfect Flavor & Texture Harmony: The combination of tender vegetables, savory meatballs, and those delightful little noodles creates a textural and flavor experience that kids and adults alike adore. It’s a soup that truly satisfies.
- Healthy and Effortlessly Delicious: We are constantly searching for recipes that not only taste fantastic but also contribute to a healthy lifestyle without requiring hours of preparation. This soup perfectly fits that description, offering a balanced and nutritious meal with minimal effort.
- Unbeatable Speed: With just a few minutes of pressure cooking time followed by a quick release, this soup comes together incredibly fast. It’s the ultimate solution for those busy evenings when you crave a homemade meal but are short on time.
- Convenience of Frozen Meatballs: For the quickest preparation, a bag of good quality frozen meatballs is a game-changer. However, if you have the time and desire, crafting your own meatball recipe without breadcrumbs elevates the dish to another level of homemade goodness.
To complete this perfect meal, serve your Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup alongside the best garlic bread recipe you know. This pairing creates an ultimate lunch or dinner experience, and any leftovers are just as delightful. It’s a healthy and utterly delicious addition to your Ninja Foodi soup recipes repertoire. Often, I serve it as a standalone meal, but if you wish to enhance the vegetable content, choose firmer additions that can withstand pressure cooking, such as celery or additional carrots.
Expert Tips for the Best Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup
Achieving the perfect balance of flavors in your Italian Wedding Soup is simple with these helpful tips:
- Seasoning Strategy: I always recommend tasting and seasoning at the very end. Meatballs, especially sausage-based ones, and chicken broth already contribute a significant amount of natural flavor and sodium to the dish. This approach ensures you don’t over-salt and allows you to adjust to your personal preference.
- Flavor from Meatballs: The beauty of using flavorful sausage meatballs (whether homemade or store-bought Italian sausage) is that their delicious essences permeate throughout the entire soup. This often means you don’t need much additional seasoning, as the meatballs infuse the broth with rich, savory notes.
- Homemade Meatball Advantage: While convenience is king, if you have a little extra time, making your own fresh meatballs truly elevates this soup. The texture and bespoke flavor of homemade meatballs are simply unmatched.
- Sausage Meatball Technique: If making homemade meatballs, I highly recommend starting with bulk sausage meat. Remove the casing, if present, and gently mix it to form a meatloaf-like consistency. Then, hand-form these into small, bite-sized meatballs. This method ensures maximum flavor and tender results.
- Frozen Meatball Shortcut: When time is of the essence, quality frozen meatballs are an excellent shortcut. Italian sausage varieties are often available and provide the best flavor for this soup. Remember to defrost them partially before adding them to the pot to ensure even cooking.
Beyond its delicious taste, this soup is also quite inexpensive to prepare and remarkably healthy. Utilizing your Instant Pot eliminates the need to heat up your oven or stovetop extensively, making it a perfect year-round dish. Whether you reside in a warm climate and prefer recipes that don’t generate excess heat, or you’re nestled in a snowy wonderland craving a comforting bowl of soup, this Instant Pot creation is always an ideal choice.
Simple Steps to Store Leftover Italian Wedding Soup
Saving leftover soup is a straightforward process, ensuring you can enjoy this delicious meal for days to come. First, allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature. This is a crucial step to prevent bacterial growth and to protect your refrigerator from unnecessary strain. Once thoroughly cooled, use a ladle to carefully transfer the soup into an airtight container. Store it in your refrigerator, where it will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, transfer your desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for approximately 1 minute, stir well to ensure even heating, and then continue heating in 30-second intervals until it reaches your desired warmth.
If you’re looking for more quick and delicious soup ideas for your pressure cooker, consider these other fantastic options:
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic comfort food, perfect for when you need a hearty meal with minimal cook time.
- Easy Instant Pot Lasagna Soup simplifies a beloved dish into a convenient one-pot meal. Just use the sauté function to brown your meat and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese when serving for an authentic touch.
- Healthy and homemade Instant Pot Barley Soup offers another nutritious and filling pressure cooker soup option.
As mentioned, we’ve also enjoyed making this Crockpot Italian Wedding Soup in a slow cooker. If you haven’t yet ventured into the world of Instant Pot cooking, the slow cooker version offers a delicious alternative.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup with Escarole
Follow these simple instructions to create a wonderfully flavorful and satisfying Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup:
- Prepare Meatballs: If you are making homemade meatballs from scratch, begin by forming them. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to your Instant Pot, then set it to the “Saute” function. Once hot, brown the outsides of your homemade meatballs. If using defrosted frozen meatballs, you can skip browning and just warm them slightly.
- Sauté Aromatics (Optional): If desired, add your sliced or diced onions to the pot alongside the meatballs (or after removing browned homemade meatballs) and sauté for a minute or two until they begin to soften and become fragrant. Once onions are softened, if you browned meatballs, remove the meatballs temporarily and take a moment to deglaze your Instant Pot to prevent a “burn” notice.
- Combine Ingredients: Return any browned meatballs to the pot (or add your defrosted frozen meatballs). Pour in the chicken broth or stock, add the diced carrots, a pinch of dried basil, and the Pastina or small noodles. (For a firmer, more al dente noodle, you can add them later with the escarole).
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and ensure the steam release valve is set to the sealing position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting on high pressure and set the timer for just 3 minutes.
- Quick Release and Add Escarole: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release by turning the steam release valve to the venting position. Allow all the pressure to escape until the float valve drops.
- Wilt Escarole and Serve: Lift the lid. Add the fresh escarole leaves (cut into bite-sized pieces, roughly 2 cups) to the soup, gently stirring to submerge the greens. Set the Instant Pot back to “Saute” on low for 2-3 minutes, allowing the escarole to wilt and soften into the flavorful broth. Serve immediately, perhaps with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread.
Soup has always been a staple in our family, a tradition passed down through generations. While my childhood soups often came from a can, the advent of modern kitchen appliances like the 7-in-1 Instant Pot has revolutionized meal preparation. Now, I can effortlessly create wholesome, homemade meals like this Italian Wedding Soup in a snap, with all the rich flavors and none of the fuss.
Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup
Justine
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Equipment
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1 pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 12 frozen meatballs, or make your own
- 40 oz chicken broth
- 1 onion
- 3 carrots
- 1 bunch escarole, (use 2 c. leaves)
- 1/2 c Pastina
- 1/4 tsp basil, dried
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Instructions
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Prepare your meatballs or use store-bought pre-made ones. If using frozen, skip the next 2 steps.
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Add a few tablespoons of olive oil into your Instant Pot. Set it to “Saute” (low setting) and add your meatballs.
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If using fresh, homemade meatballs, brown their outsides for added flavor. If using defrosted frozen meatballs, just add them to the pot to warm slightly. Then, add your diced onions and cook for a minute or two until the onions begin to soften. Turn off the “Saute” function/cancel.
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Pour in your chicken stock, add the diced carrots, dried basil, and Pastina noodles. (If you prefer your noodles to be very al dente, you can add them later with the escarole).
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Place the lid on your pressure cooker and ensure the steam valve is closed (set to sealing). Set the cooker to “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) on high pressure for 3 minutes.
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Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release by carefully turning the steam valve to the venting position to rapidly release the pressure.
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Lift the lid. If you are adding escarole, cut it into spoon-sized pieces (approximately 2 cups of leaves) and add it to the soup, stirring gently until the leaves are submerged. Set the Instant Pot to “Saute” (low setting) and allow it to gently bubble for 2-3 minutes so the escarole softens. Serve immediately!
Nutrition
Calories: 117kcal,
Carbohydrates: 8g,
Protein: 7g,
Fat: 6g,
Saturated Fat: 2g,
Cholesterol: 20mg,
Sodium: 747mg,
Potassium: 624mg,
Fiber: 3g,
Sugar: 2g,
Vitamin A: 6950IU,
Vitamin C: 22.1mg,
Calcium: 74mg,
Iron: 1.5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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