Gluten Free Italian Wedding Soup

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My Gluten Free Italian Wedding Soup was inspired by my childhood favorite that my Mom would always make around the holidays. Between the mini meatballs, scrambled egg, and other fresh ingredients this recipe will have you running back for more! This homemade Italian Wedding Soup Recipe is super easy to make and I can assure you it will become a staple in your home!

Italian wedding soup in a bowl with fresh parsley sprinkled on top.

Soup season is my favorite season, it is why I have so many soup recipes on my blog. While this recipe is my absolute favorite, a few of my other favorites are my Dairy Free Lobster Bisque, Carrot and Butternut Squash Soup, Instant Pot Turkey Soup, Cauliflower Leek Soup and my Thai Shrimp Soup. For my family soup is the best kind of meal to have on hand for these cold Fall and Winter days. Although you cannot freeze this soup with the pasta or egg in it, you can freeze it with the base so that it is easier to prep on busy weeknights.

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Why We Love This Recipe
Ingredients List
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Recipe Instructions
Optional Meatball Instructions
Recipe Tips
Recipe FAQs
Storage Instructions
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Gluten Free Italian Wedding Soup

Why We Love This Recipe

This recipe tastes just like my childhood favorite despite it being gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free, paleo friendly and grain free. It can also be made egg free and keto friendly if you do not include the orzo or add the eggs in. The soup can also be made vegan friendly if you make it without the meatballs and egg. You can also make this recipe nightshade free.
You can batch make this soup and freeze it.
You can buy pre-made meatballs or buy your own.
This recipe is versatile, you can adapt to use the vegetables on hand if needed.
Unlike traditional Italian wedding soup where most original recipe have gluten and dairy in them, this recipe does not have any dairy or gluten in it.
This recipe reminds me of my Mom’s Italian wedding soup that I used to eat growing up.

Ingredients List

Wedding soup ingredients laid out on the counter top in small glass bowls.

Gluten free orzo-I use the Jovial brand. It is not only gluten free, but it is also dairy free. I get mine off of Thrive Market. I have found you can get the best bang for your buck with their stuff. If you use my Thrive Market link, you can save up to $40 on your first order. You can also use other gluten-free pasta but this kind is my favorite because it is grain free too.
Baby spinach-I love adding in greens where I can. The spinach adds some nice color to it and some fiber. I chop it up finely and add it in.
Bone broth-Any delicious broth will work. You can use chicken broth, beef broth or even turkey broth. I also sometimes like to make my own broth using my Homemade AIP Bone Broth too! Any flavorful broth will work. The bone broth in this soup makes it rich in flavor. Do not try using water!
Carrot coins-I love carrots in my wedding soup. Personally I do not take the skin off, I just wash them and chop them into coins.
Chopped onions-Any kind of onions will work. If you like sweet onions, use a yellow or white onion. If you like more of a savory taste, you can use red onions.
Meatballs-You can use store bought gluten free meatballs or make your own. I will include the recipe and instructions for both kinds in this recipe. I personally like making my own juicy meatballs with ground meat because I like teeny tiny meatballs vs large meatballs. To get tiny little meatballs, I use a small cookie scoop. If I am making my own meatballs, I prefer to use ground beef but you can also use ground pork, ground turkey or even ground chicken. If you are making your own meatballs, you will also want to have a little bit of sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder and parsley to roll in the meatballs.
Italian seasoning-This adds flavor to the soup. I like using a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, oregano and parsley.
Avocado oil-To sauté the onions, garlic, sea salt and carrots in.
Eggs-I like to crack a large egg and make some scrambled eggs prior to serving the soup. It adds some extra protein and is a nice added touch. It reminds me of how my Mom did it growing up too
Fresh herbs-To garnish. I like using fresh parsley!

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you are lower carb, you can substitute cauliflower rice for the gluten-free orzo or leave it out entirely. If you are making a big batch and wanting to freeze it, you can also freeze it with the cauliflower rice vs. you cannot with the orzo substitute. Any kind of gluten free small pasta will also work too.
Parmesan cheese-My mom always added cheese in hers growing up but being dairy free I leave it out now, you can add it in if you would like or add in a non-dairy parmesan or nutritional yeast to give it that cheesy like flavor.
Italian sausage-You can chop this into coins and throw it in the soup like you would for the meatballs.

This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you add or remove any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

Recipe Instructions

Onions, spices, avocado oil, and spinach in a large soup pot. — **Step #1:** First, add your cooking oil of choice to a large soup pot on medium-high heat on the stove top. Once the The cooking oil is hot, add in the onions, spinach, Italian seasonings and salt to the pan. Saute until the spinach is wilted.

Onions, chopped spinach, assorted spices, chopped carrots and bone broth in a large soup pot. — **Step #2:** Next, add in the carrots and soften in the oil for 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes is up, add in the broth and bring to a boil for 10 minutes.

Eggs in a frying pan. — **Step #3:** Now, in a separate pan scramble the eggs you have on hand and set aside.

Orzo poured in wedding soup. — **Step #4**: Lastly, add in the meatballs (if you are using those in your soup) and pour in the orzo. Bring the orzo and broth mixture to a boil for 8 minutes. Add in the eggs when you are ready to serve. Serve with optional parsley on top.

Optional Meatball Instructions

Add your meat and seasonings to a large mixing bowl. Then, roll into tiny balls. I like to use a small 1/2 inch scooper. Scoop the meatballs and add to a plate. In a frying pan, add a little bit of cooking oil and saute for 3-4 minutes or until they are golden brown and they reach the appropriate internal temperature for the kind of meat you are using.

Recipe Tips

Wait to add in the orzo and eggs until you are ready to serve! If you add the orzo and eggs in early, they will become mushy.
Do not skip sautéing the onions with the other herbs, this will really enhance the flavor of the recipe.

Recipe FAQs

What is Italian Wedding Soup?

The original name “minestra maritata” translates to married broth with the combination of meat and greens together in a both. It is quite literally the most perfect combination!

What is the difference between Italian Wedding Soup or Minestrone Soup?

Minestrone soup usually contains a ton of vegetables, beans and pasta. Wedding soup does not normally contain beans and usually has meatballs or sausage in it.

Close up photo of wedding soup in a large soup pot.

Storage Instructions

You can store this recipe in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. If you know you are prepping this recipe rather than making it to immediately eat, add the orzo and eggs when you are ready to serve. If the orzo or eggs sit in the fridge or freezer with the soup, it will turn mushy.
This recipe can also last in the freezer for up to 3 months in a glass container. Just be sure to add the orzo and eggs when you are ready to serve.