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Turkey Meatball Soup (Italian Wedding)

Turkey Meatball Soup (Italian Wedding)

Name: Turkey Meatball Soup (Italian Wedding)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 400g ground turkey; 30g breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 30g parmesan, grated; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp fresh parsley; Salt and pepper; 1.5L chicken broth; 150g acini di pepe or orzo pasta; 200g escarole or spinach; 1 carrot, diced small; 1 celery stalk, diced small; 2 tbsp olive oil; Parmesan for serving

Light broth soup with turkey meatballs, small pasta, escarole, and parmesan. Comforting Italian classic.

turkey dinner luncheasy

Jump to Instructions ↓

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Prep20 min

Cook20 min

Protein30g

Calories360

Carbs28g

Fat14g

Per serving · Adjust servings below to scale ingredients

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🥗Ingredients

4 servings

Meatballs

400g ground turkey
30g breadcrumbs
1 egg
30g parmesan, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley
Salt and pepper

Soup

1.5L chicken broth
150g acini di pepe or orzo pasta
200g escarole or spinach
1 carrot, diced small
1 celery stalk, diced small
2 tbsp olive oil
Parmesan for serving

👨‍🍳Instructions

1
Mix meatball ingredients. Form small meatballs (about 2cm).
2
Bring broth to a boil. Add carrot and celery.
3
Gently drop meatballs into simmering broth. Cook 8 minutes.
4
Add pasta, cook 6-8 minutes until tender.
5
Add escarole/spinach, stir until wilted. Serve with parmesan.

📊Nutrition per serving

Values are per 1 serving and stay fixed regardless of the servings adjuster above — use the adjuster to scale ingredients only.

Calories360

Protein30g

Carbs28g

Fat14g

Fiber3g

💪Protein & Nutrition Breakdown

Turkey is one of the leanest animal proteins available, with a similar amino acid profile to chicken but often slightly higher in selenium — an antioxidant mineral that supports thyroid function and immune health. Ground turkey and turkey breast are both excellent bases for high-protein meals. Each serving of Turkey Meatball Soup (Italian Wedding) delivers 30g of protein at 360 calories — that's 12 calories per gram of protein, making it one of the more efficient protein sources on this site. Protein accounts for roughly 33% of total calories in this dish. The 28g of carbohydrates per serving provide energy for training, making this a well-rounded meal both pre- and post-workout. The 14g of fat primarily comes from the cooking method and protein source itself, keeping the overall calorie density low.

🥡Meal Prep & Storage

Turkey Meatball Soup (Italian Wedding) is a straightforward recipe that scales well for meal prep. This recipe makes 4 servings, each delivering 30g of protein and 360 calories — ideal for tracking macros across the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. Adding a small splash of water or broth prevents the protein from drying out during reheating. Turkey Meatball Soup (Italian Wedding) also freezes well — portion into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Batch cooking a double or triple portion on the weekend means you have 30g-protein meals ready throughout the week with zero daily effort.

💡 Tips & Notes

•Small meatballs are traditional — about 2cm diameter.
•Don't stir aggressively or meatballs will break.

Variations

→Use chicken instead of turkey.
→Add ditalini pasta.
→Use kale instead of escarole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Turkey Meatball Soup (Italian Wedding) ahead of time?

Make the full batch up to 3 days ahead — the flavour develops significantly overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, tasting and adjusting seasoning.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken is a direct swap. Turkey is slightly leaner with a milder flavor. You won't need to adjust cooking times or seasoning amounts.

Can I use a slow cooker instead?

Yes! Brown the meat and aromatics first (for flavor), then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. Adjust liquid down by about 25% since less evaporates.

high protein

Recipe by

BoBo Chef

Fitness enthusiast and home cook. Every recipe is tested in a real kitchen and macro-verified before publishing.