Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs Recipe
This Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs is a comforting and hearty soup featuring tender homemade meatballs, fresh vegetables, acini de pepe pasta, and vibrant spinach simmered in a flavorful chicken broth. Perfect for an easy and delicious meal that develops rich flavors over hours of slow cooking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- ½ lb. ground Italian sausage (or plain ground pork)
- ½ lb. ground beef
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. dried parsley
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
For the Soup
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 2 whole carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¾ cup Acini de pepe pasta
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ground Italian sausage, ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined to ensure even seasoning and texture.
- Shape Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs about ¾ inch in diameter, making sure they are evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Sear the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and sear them until browned on all sides, which locks in flavor. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the seared meatballs carefully into the slow cooker, preparing for the soup base.
- Add Soup Ingredients: To the slow cooker, add diced celery, diced carrots, diced onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook the Soup: Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld together, creating a rich broth.
- Add Pasta: About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, stir in the Acini de pepe pasta to the slow cooker. Ensure the pasta is evenly distributed and continue cooking until it is al dente.
- Add Spinach: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach and allow it to wilt in the hot soup for approximately 5 minutes, enhancing both color and nutrition.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup hot into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired for added aroma and flavor.
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey instead of pork or beef.
- You can prepare the meatballs in advance and refrigerate or freeze them before searing.
- If Acini de pepe pasta is unavailable, substitute with any small pasta like ditalini or orzo.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- For added depth, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes when serving.
Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, Slow Cooker Soup, Meatball Soup, Easy Italian Recipe, Comfort Food, Slow Cooker Meals