Best Freezer Slow Cooker Mini Meatball Minestrone Recipes

EASY CROCK POT MEATBALL MINESTRONE

Easy Crock Pot Meatball Minestrone image

I always love to find a new way to use frozen meatballs--either commercial or homemade and frozen. This is a particularly good (and hearty) soup. I think you will enjoy it. I found a tiny elbow macaroni in the Mexican section of the ethnic aisle of the supermarket; I thought it worked very well in this recipe. It's name is Pasta Alimenticia (La Moderna brand). I also substituted Navy beans for the kidneys since we like them best. The recipe comes from "Slow Cooker Magic" by Rehberg and Conway.

Provided by Lorraine of AZ

Categories Beans

Time 6h45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb frozen meatballs
1 medium onion, chopped
5 cups beef broth (or 5 bouillon cubes and 5 cups water)
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, Italian-style
1 cup peeled and sliced carrot, about 1/8-inch thick
1 cup sliced celery, about 1/4-inch thick
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 cup elbow macaroni
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
grated parmesan cheese (to garnish)

Steps:

In a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides. Just before they are completely browned, add the onion to the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking about 2 more minutes or until the onions are soft.
Add 1 cup of the beef broth to the pan, stirring up all the browned particles from the bottom of the pan. Carefully pour contents of skillet into your crock pot. I used a 4-quart sized crock pot.
Add the rest of the beef broth, tomatoes, carrots, celery, green pepper, oregano, basil and parsley to the crock pot. Cover and cook on LO for 6 to 8 hours.
Turn the heat to HI. Add the macaroni and rinsed and drained beans; stir. Cover and cook about 30 minutes until the macaroni is fully cooked.
Taste before serving. If necessary, adjust seasoning. Serve in soup bowls with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

SLOW-COOKER MINESTRONE

Slow-Cooker Minestrone image

There's nothing quite like the comfort of warm homemade soup, and it's even better when your slow cooker does most of the work for you! This slow-cooker minestrone is easy to put together but has all the flavor of a high-effort dish. -Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 6h50m

Yield 12 servings (4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 carton (32 ounces) vegetable or chicken stock
3 cups V8 or tomato juice
2 cups water
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) cut green beans, drained
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 cup uncooked ditalini or other small pasta
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Combine the first 13 ingredients in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in beans, zucchini and pasta. Cook, covered, on high about 30 minutes longer, until pasta is tender. Discard bay leaves. If desired, top with grated Parmesan cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 813mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

KITTENCAL'S MINI MEATBALL MINESTRONE SOUP

Kittencal's Mini Meatball Minestrone Soup image

This is a delicious rich soup that will need a longer cooking time then most soups and tastes even better the next day it's really a meal in itself, I serve it with garlic bread on the side --- to save some time prepare the meatballs up to a day ahead, the meatball mixture may be doubled if desired, if you don't use all the meatballs then freeze for another time and just drop them into the soup frozen -- 1/4 to 1/3 cup dry red wine may be added to the soup :)

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories Vegetable

Time 1h40m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

3 -4 tablespoons olive oil
2 -3 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
2 medium onions, chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional or adjust to suit heat level)
1 stalk celery, diced
4 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth (can use beef broth)
4 cups tomato sauce (for a richer flavor use 2 cups each tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes)
1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (10 ounce) can green beans, drained
2 cups chopped fresh spinach (rinsed over with cold water)
2 -3 medium zucchini, sliced thick (or coarsely chopped)
cooked small shell pasta (use any amount desired, small shell pasta or macaroni will work fine)
1/3-1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (more for sprinkling)
salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1/2 lb extra lean ground beef (or use half beef and pork)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 green onion, finely chopped (use white part only)
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt or 1/2 teaspoon white salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

For the meatballs; in a bowl combine all ingredients until blended.
Shape into 3/4-inch balls; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to add to the soup.
In a large pot heat olive oil over medium-high heat; add in garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
Add in onions, dried oregano and crushed chili flakes; saute for about 4 minutes, stirring.
Add in celery, carrots and tomato paste; saute stirring for 2-3 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon.
Add in chicken broth, tomato sauce, kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves and zucchini; return to a boil.
Add in uncooked meatballs; bring to a simmer (do not stir for at least 20 minutes).
Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours (after about 30 minutes of cooking season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste).
Add in cooked pasta and 1/3 to 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; stir to heat through (can add in more cheese if desired).
Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270.4, Fat 10.5, SaturatedFat 3, Cholesterol 46.1, Sodium 1365.2, Carbohydrate 27.8, Fiber 8, Sugar 12.4, Protein 18.6

MINI MEATBALL MINESTRONE

Mini Meatball Minestrone image

This soup is absolutely delicious! A family favorite, my 4 year old son calls it "Meaty Meatball Yummy Soup". It's packed with healthy veggies, which you can vary according to your family's taste. Don't let the long ingredient list fool you - it is simple and quick to prepare with ingredients you usually have on hand. You can substitute fresh vegetables for the canned; I created this in winter when I had more canned and frozen items on hand than fresh. Leave the meatballs out if you are short on time or want to skip the meat. You can also make the meatballs in advance and freeze them to add later. We like to serve this with a fresh green salad and good multi grain bread.

Provided by InkysChef

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (or a mix of Parmesan and Romano)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups tomato juice or 2 cups vegetable juice
2 cups green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 carrots, sliced
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (4 ounce) can mushrooms
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dried)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta, such as elbows

Steps:

To prepare the meatballs:
Preheat oven to 350.
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and roll into 1/2 inch meatballs.
Place on a cookie sheet and bake 15 minutes or until brown.
To prepare soup (while meatballs are cooking):.
Heat oil in a large stockpot. Saute the onions until softened and lightly brown, about 4 minutes.
Add garlic and saute 2 minutes longer.
Add stock, juice, green beans, carrots, kidney beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer on medium low for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add meatballs.
Add pasta, cover pot, and cook about 10 minutes longer.