Description
Experience the ultimate comfort with this effortless Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. This classic ‘married soup’ combines tender, savory meatballs, vibrant carrots, celery, and delicate spinach in a rich, clear broth. It is the perfect weeknight solution for busy families who want a homemade, high-protein meal without the stress of constant stove-top monitoring. Simple to prepare, hearty, and packed with wholesome goodness, this dish brings the warmth of traditional Italian cuisine right to your slow cooker.
Ingredients
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground turkey
1 large egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 celery ribs, finely diced
2 whole carrots, peeled and diced
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups chicken broth
1 cup dry pastina or small pasta shells
4 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, parmesan, 2 cloves minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until well mixed.
Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the meatballs until browned on the outside, then remove.
Place celery, carrots, onion, and 3 cloves minced garlic into the slow cooker.
Add the seared meatballs and chicken broth to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours.
Thirty minutes before serving, add the pasta to the slow cooker.
Five minutes before serving, stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
Serve hot with extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
Ensure you use a non-pork sausage if substituting for the turkey. The meatballs do not need to be cooked through in the skillet as they will finish in the broth. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 240
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg