Hearty Vegetable & Meatball Soup
Warm up with this comforting and nutritious Hearty Vegetable & Meatball Soup! Perfect for busy weeknights, this inventive crockpot recipe combines frozen mixed vegetables and fully cooked meatballs, making preparation a breeze. You'll feel accomplished as you serve a wholesome soup packed with flavor and vibrant veggies, all without any fuss. The rich beef broth, tender vegetables, and savory meatballs create a delightful medley that can satisfy the whole family. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in those essential nutrients while enjoying a hearty meal. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete dinner that’s both easy and satisfying!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Beef broth
3 cups (Ready-to-use)
Frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups (Thawed)
Stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) can (With juice)
Frozen fully cooked meatballs
15 pieces (Thawed)
Bay leaves
3 (Whole)
Ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Spiral-shaped pasta
1 cup (Cooked and drained)
Instructions
1
In a slow cooker, pour in the beef broth and add the thawed mixed vegetables, stewed tomatoes (with their juice), thawed meatballs, bay leaves, and pepper.
2
Stir the ingredients gently to combine them properly.
3
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4
About 15 minutes before serving, cook the spiral pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain it.
5
Once the cooking time is up, stir in the cooked pasta into the soup mix until heated through.
6
Lastly, remove the bay leaves and serve hot, pairing it with some crusty bread if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Hearty Vegetable & Meatball Soup.
What is the primary cooking method for this soup?
This soup is prepared using a slow cooker or crockpot.
How long should the soup cook in the slow cooker?
The soup should be cooked on low for 4 to 5 hours.
What type of broth is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 3 cups of ready-to-use beef broth.
Do the frozen meatballs need to be thawed before cooking?
Yes, the 15 pieces of frozen fully cooked meatballs should be thawed before adding them to the slow cooker.
Should the frozen mixed vegetables be thawed?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 2 cups of thawed frozen mixed vegetables.
What size can of stewed tomatoes is required?
One 14.5 ounce can of stewed tomatoes is required.
Should I drain the juice from the stewed tomatoes?
No, you should add the stewed tomatoes along with their juice.
How many bay leaves are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 whole bay leaves.
When do I add the pasta to the soup?
The cooked pasta should be stirred into the soup mix once the 4 to 5 hour slow cooker time is complete.
Should the pasta be cooked in the slow cooker?
No, the spiral pasta should be cooked separately according to package instructions until al dente and then drained.
What type of pasta shape is recommended?
Spiral-shaped pasta is recommended for this recipe.
How much black pepper should be added?
Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
When should I start cooking the pasta?
Start cooking the pasta about 15 minutes before you plan to serve the soup.
Do I need to remove the bay leaves before serving?
Yes, the bay leaves should be removed before serving the soup.
What is a good side dish to serve with this soup?
This soup pairs well with some crusty bread.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is described as perfect for busy weeknights because it uses frozen ingredients and a slow cooker.
What makes this recipe 'inventive'?
It is considered inventive because it combines frozen mixed vegetables and fully cooked meatballs for a fuss-free meal.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients in this recipe.
What is the texture of the pasta when it is ready?
The pasta should be cooked until it is al dente.
What setting should I use on my slow cooker?
You should use the 'low' setting on your slow cooker.
How do I combine the initial ingredients?
Pour the broth, vegetables, tomatoes, meatballs, bay leaves, and pepper into the slow cooker and stir gently to combine.
Is this soup considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious and wholesome soup packed with essential nutrients and vibrant veggies.
How much spiral pasta is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of spiral-shaped pasta.
Can I use raw meatballs in this recipe?
The recipe specifies using fully cooked meatballs that have been thawed.
What kind of mixed vegetables are used?
The recipe uses frozen mixed vegetables that have been thawed.
Is this recipe categorized under any specific tags?
Yes, it is tagged as a soup, crock pot, vegetable, and meatball recipe, among others.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The specific number of servings is not provided in the source data, but it uses 3 cups of broth and various solids.
How much beef broth is used in total?
The recipe uses 3 cups of beef broth.
Should the soup be served hot or cold?
The soup should be served hot.