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Crockpot Italian Meatball Soup

Crockpot Italian Meatball Soup
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Crockpot Italian Meatball Soup is a comforting and hearty slow-cooked meal featuring juicy homemade meatballs, vibrant vegetables, and a rich Italian herb-infused broth. Perfect for chilly evenings, this easy-to-make soup combines fresh ingredients and slow-simmered flavors to deliver a soul-soothing bowl of deliciousness that’s family friendly and ideal for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs/almond flour for gluten-free)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Soup Base

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cups beef or chicken broth (use vegetable broth for vegan/vegetarian)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Greens

  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Meatballs: Combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix gently until just combined, then shape into small, bite-sized meatballs to keep them tender and ensure even cooking.
  2. Browning the Meatballs: Quickly sear the meatballs in a skillet on all sides until golden brown. This step locks in juices and adds a rich flavor, but can be skipped if short on time.
  3. Preparing the Soup Base: Layer chopped onions, carrots, and celery in the Crockpot. Pour in broth, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
  4. Adding the Meatballs to the Crockpot: Nestle the browned meatballs carefully into the soup base. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld.
  5. Finishing Touches: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in fresh spinach or kale until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving hot.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
  • Use fresh herbs when possible for enhanced flavor.
  • Brown meatballs lightly just to lock in juices without adding cooking time.
  • Layer vegetables at the bottom of the Crockpot to distribute heat evenly.
  • Add greens last to keep them bright and fresh without becoming mushy.

Nutrition

Keywords: Crockpot, Italian Meatball Soup, slow cooker soup, comfort food, homemade meatballs, Italian herbs, easy soup, winter recipes

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/crockpot-italian-meatball-soup/