Description
This Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that combines tender meatballs, fresh spinach, and tender pasta in a flavorful chicken broth infused with Italian herbs and garlic. Perfect for an easy and nourishing meal, the slow cooker makes it effortless to prepare while developing deep flavors over several hours.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 8 cups chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 3 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 cup celery (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2/3 cups plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup acini pasta (or other small pasta)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (chopped)
Instructions
- Combine Soup Ingredients: Add the chicken broth, chopped carrots, diced onion, chopped celery, dried parsley, oregano, Italian herbs, and minced garlic into your slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Set Slow Cooker: Cover and cook the mixture on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Prepare Meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine the lean ground beef, egg, dried onion powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, minced garlic, bread crumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients evenly. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs carefully. Brown them on all sides, flipping as needed, until they are cooked through and have a nice caramelized color, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer browned meatballs to paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Add Meatballs and Pasta: Add the browned meatballs, acini pasta, and chopped baby spinach to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the spinach is wilted.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Optionally, garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese or freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting Italian classic.
Notes
- For a lower-sodium option, use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce added salt.
- The meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute meatballs with plant-based alternatives and vegetable broth.
- Acini pasta can be replaced with other small pasta shapes like orzo or ditalini.
- To make the soup gluten-free, use gluten-free bread crumbs and pasta.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, Slow Cooker Soup, Meatball Soup, Comfort Food, Easy Soup Recipe
