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Light Italian Wedding Soup

WHY IT’S LIGHT This leaner take on a classic soup includes meatballs made with ground turkey instead of beef for less fat and fewer calories. To ensure the meatballs are juicy and flavorful, use dark-meat turkey with at least seven percent fat.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

1 pound ground dark-meat turkey (93% lean)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) low-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes in juice
2 heads escarole (2 pounds total), trimmed and coarsely chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, combine turkey, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roll tablespoonfuls of mixture into balls.

    Step 2

    In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add broth and tomatoes (with juice); bring to a simmer. Add meatballs; cook, without stirring, until meatballs float to surface, about 5 minutes.

    Step 3

    Add as much escarole to pot as will fit. Cook, gradually adding remaining escarole, until wilted and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Thin soup with water if desired; season with salt and pepper. Serve soup sprinkled with more Parmesan.

  2. About escarole

    Step 4

    A type of chicory, escarole may look like a head of lettuce (to which it’s closely related), but it’s much more flavorful, and has thicker leaves and a pale yellow heart. Rich in vitamin A and folate, it’s also a good source of fiber. To store escarole, refrigerate in an unsealed plastic bag lined with paper towels for up to 4 days.

  3. nutrition information

    Step 5

    (Per Serving)

    Step 6

    Calories: 250

    Step 7

    Fat: 9.8g (3g Saturated Fat)

    Step 8

    Protein: 23.6g

    Step 9

    Carbohydrates: 19.3g

    Step 10

    Fiber: 4.8g

Everyday Food: Light
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