ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP | Making Dishes Skinny | Soup Recipe | Chicken Meatballs | Catherines Plates

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and adds a cheesy flavor.

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Turkey is leaner, while ground beef is often more affordable.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats are healthier, while crushed crackers can be a cost-effective substitute.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is often cheaper.

In a medium bowl, add 1 pound of ground chicken.

Add 1 egg, 1/4 cup of panko crumbs, 1/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of dried parsley, 1/2 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to the bowl.

Mix all the ingredients together until combined.

Form tiny meatballs using a tablespoon to measure out the size, rolling them tightly to hold their shape.

Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil.

Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in two stages, browning them on all sides. Do not move them until they are browned on the bottom.

After browning, remove the meatballs and set them aside on a plate.

Add another tablespoon of cooking oil to the pot, then add 3 ribs of chopped celery, 1/2 chopped yellow onion, and chopped baby carrots.

Season with a little salt and pepper, and sweat the vegetables for about 4 to 5 minutes until soft.

Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic and stir for 1 minute.

Pour in the chicken broth and raise the heat to high to bring it to a boil.

Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.

Once boiling, add 1 cup of orzo pasta and return the browned meatballs to the pot.

Stir gently and reduce the heat to medium-low, letting it simmer for 10 minutes until the pasta is cooked and the meatballs are done.

After 10 minutes, turn off the heat and add 6 ounces of fresh baby spinach, allowing it to wilt in the residual heat.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens