Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Meatball Soup
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients:
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1/2 C seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 C Parmesan cheese
1/4 C milk
1 large egg
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic salt
Soup Ingredients:
6 C chicken broth
2 Tbsp tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C mini pasta, such as Ditalini
10 oz baby spinach
Directions
Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl combine meatball ingredients. Pinch off a small portion of the mixture to create 1 inch meatballs. Roll in your hands, then transfer to your baking sheet. Meatballs can sit close together, just not touching. Continue process. If preparing meatballs ahead; cover baking sheet with plastic wrap to store overnight in the fridge.
When ready to proceed, bake meatballs at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Add chicken broth, tomato paste, garlic, seasonings and meatballs to slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours. Add pasta and spinach, cook 30 minutes more.
Divide among bowls. Enjoy.
