SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL SOUP

Spaghetti & Meatball Soup image

A couple of nights a week our family ends up eating in shifts because everyone is going every which way, all at the same time. Having a hearty soup simmering in the slow cooker is an easy way to give them all a warm meal. -Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 7h

Yield 8 servings (3 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 16

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Ingredients

1 cup soft bread crumbs
3/4 cup 2% milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds bulk mild Italian sausage
SOUP:
4 cups beef stock
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
3 cups water
1 teaspoon dried basil
Parmesan rind, optional
8 ounces angel hair pasta, broken into 1-1/2-inch pieces
Additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, mix bread crumbs and milk. Let stand 5 minutes; drain. Stir in eggs, cheese and seasonings. Add sausage; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place meatballs on a greased rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until cooked through, 12-15 minutes., Transfer meatballs to a 6-qt. slow cooker. Add stock, marinara sauce, water, basil and, if desired, Parmesan rind. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours to allow flavors to blend., Discard Parmesan rind. Stir in pasta; cook, covered, on high until pasta is tender, 15-20 minutes longer. If desired, serve with additional cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394 calories, Fat 26g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 95mg cholesterol, Sodium 1452mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein.