Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup brings the warmth of Italian-American tradition right to your table. With its rich broth, tender meatballs, and hearty greens, it’s a comforting meal perfect for any occasion. This recipe is an easy way to enjoy a classic from the comfort of your home.

The secret to this soup’s depth of flavor lies in its blend of fresh ingredients, like garlic, rosemary, and chicken broth. The addition of Parmesan rind infuses a subtle richness, while the sausage and greens add satisfying heartiness.

Whether you serve it as a main dish or a starter, this slow-cooked version of Italian wedding soup is sure to impress. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with a flavorful, easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

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Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup Ingredients

This version of Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup brings together simple yet flavorful ingredients that create a rich and satisfying dish. The savory garlic and onions provide a fragrant base, while the tender carrots and celery add natural sweetness and depth. Fresh rosemary infuses an aromatic earthiness, complemented by the subtle richness of a Parmesan rind, which enhances the broth.

The hearty greens, such as kale or escarole, give the soup a vibrant texture and earthy flavor, making it more nourishing. Sweet or spicy Italian sausage adds a savory kick, transforming the broth into a comforting, meaty base. Finally, small pasta like pearl couscous adds a satisfying bite, while a dash of lemon juice and red-pepper flakes elevate the flavors with a zesty and slightly spicy finish.

Recipe Tips for Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

1. Infuse Extra Flavor with Parmesan Rind
   For a richer, more savory broth, add a Parmesan rind to the slow cooker. It slowly releases deep, umami flavors as it cooks, enhancing the soup’s taste. If you don’t have a Parmesan rind, you can use a small amount of grated Parmesan directly in the soup, but the rind gives a unique depth.
2. Use High-Quality Sausage
   The Italian sausage is the star of the soup, so choose a high-quality sausage for the best results. You can use sweet or hot sausage based on your preference. Be sure to crumble the sausage into small pieces to ensure it evenly distributes throughout the soup and cooks perfectly.
3. Balance the Flavors
   Italian wedding soup should have a perfect balance of flavors—rich and savory with a hint of brightness. If the soup feels too heavy, add an extra squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up. Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and red-pepper flakes to suit your taste.

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What to Serve with Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

1. Garlic Bread or Crusty Bread
   Serve your Italian wedding soup with a side of freshly baked garlic bread or a hearty, crusty loaf. The bread soaks up the flavorful broth, making each bite even more satisfying. It’s the perfect companion for sopping up the savory goodness.
2. A Light Salad
   Pair the soup with a light salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette. The freshness of the salad complements the richness of the soup, providing a refreshing contrast. Adding some shaved Parmesan on top ties the meal together beautifully.
3. Roasted Vegetables
   Roasted vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, make an excellent side dish. Their natural sweetness and crispy texture add a nice contrast to the soup’s tender greens and sausage, offering a well-rounded meal that’s both filling and flavorful.

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FAQ for Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

1. Can I use pre-cooked sausage for this recipe?
   It’s best to use raw sausage in this soup, as it adds more flavor and richness to the broth. However, if you have pre-cooked sausage, you can still use it. Just add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking to warm through.
2. Can I substitute the greens for other types?
   Yes, you can substitute kale, escarole, or collard greens with other hearty greens like spinach or Swiss chard. However, be mindful that spinach wilts much faster, so add it closer to the end of cooking.
3. Can I freeze leftovers?
   Yes, Italian wedding soup freezes well. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and heat on the stovetop.
4. What can I use if I don’t have a Parmesan rind?
   If you don’t have a Parmesan rind, you can still create a rich broth by adding a bit more grated Parmesan during cooking. You can also experiment with other hard cheeses, like Pecorino Romano, but the flavor will differ slightly.

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Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup is a timeless dish that combines a flavorful broth, tender meatballs, and hearty greens. With numerous variations, its core elements—meat, vegetables, and aromatic herbs—are traditionally harmonized in a savory, satisfying blend. Derived from the Italian “minestra maritata,” or “married soup,” the term refers to the perfect marriage of meat and vegetables, not a wedding celebration itself. This comforting dish has become a staple of Italian-American cuisine, and making it in a slow cooker enhances its depth of flavor with minimal effort.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 People

Ingredients

  

• 6 large garlic cloves smashed and chopped
• 2 large carrots sliced (halved lengthwise if thick)
• 2 celery stalks sliced
• 1 yellow or red onion minced
• 1 Parmesan rind optional
• 1 large sprig fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 7 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes adjust to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon about 2 tablespoons, plus more for taste
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
• 5 ounces hearty winter greens such as kale, escarole, or collard greens, tough ribs and stems removed, roughly chopped
• 1 pound raw Italian sausage sweet or hot, removed from casings
• ½ cup small pasta optional, such as pearl couscous, ditalini, or stelline
• Grated Parmesan for topping (optional)

Instructions

 

• Step 1
• In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the garlic, carrots, celery, onion, Parmesan rind, rosemary, chicken broth, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, red-pepper flakes, lemon juice, kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Stir the ingredients together and cook on low for approximately 6 hours, until the carrots are tender and the flavors have fully melded.
• Step 2
• Increase the heat to high, then remove the lid. Add the chopped greens, stirring gently to incorporate. Pinch the sausage into small 1-inch pieces and drop them into the soup, submerging them in the broth. Replace the lid and cook for an additional hour, or until the sausage is thoroughly cooked. If using pasta or couscous, stir it in 40 minutes after the sausage has been added, and cook for another 20 minutes.
• Step 3
• Once the soup is finished cooking, discard the Parmesan rind and rosemary stem. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, black or red pepper, or lemon juice as desired. Serve the soup topped with grated Parmesan, if preferred.
• Tip
• Parmesan rinds, often available at well-stocked grocery stores alongside grated Parmesan, provide a cost-effective way to deepen the flavor of soups. These rinds can be stored in the freezer indefinitely, and there’s no need to thaw them before use.

Keyword Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup