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Cozy Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup Recipe with Mini Meatballs

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A comforting and hearty Italian wedding soup made easy in the slow cooker with tender mini meatballs, fresh greens, and small pasta shapes. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1/2 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup small pasta shapes (acini di pepe or orzo)
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
  • Optional: crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, fresh thyme or rosemary

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined without overmixing.
  2. Shape the mixture into approximately 30 mini meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on a plate or baking sheet.
  3. In the slow cooker, combine chicken broth, diced carrots, diced celery, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Stir to combine.
  4. Gently add the mini meatballs to the slow cooker, partially submerging them in the broth. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the small pasta shapes and fresh baby spinach. Cover and cook until pasta is tender and spinach is wilted.
  6. Stir in fresh lemon juice and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  7. Optional: If broth is too thin near the end, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir in to thicken slightly.

Notes

Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender. Add pasta in the last 30 minutes to avoid mushiness. Use fresh parsley and Parmesan for authentic flavor. For gluten-free, substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta. For a lighter version, use turkey or chicken meatballs. Slow cooking on low yields more tender meatballs and deeper flavor. If broth is thin, thicken with cornstarch slurry. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days and freeze well without pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian wedding soup, slow cooker soup, mini meatballs, comfort food, easy dinner, slow cooker recipe, Italian soup, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/cozy-slow-cooker-italian-wedding-soup-recipe-with-mini-meatballs-to-make-today/