Sausage Meatball Soup
A hearty and comforting sausage meatball soup packed with white beans, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Perfect for cold days, this slow-cooked dish offers rich flavors and satisfying textures, ideal for family dinners or cozy gatherings. Easy to prepare and full of nourishing ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the casing off the Italian sausage.
- Slice the sausage into chunks and fry until browned.
- Mix all other ingredients in the crock-pot: navy beans, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, sliced zucchini, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooked sausage to the crock-pot.
- Simmer on low setting for 8 to 10 hours.
- Serve hot with bread.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding diced onions and garlic when frying the sausage. If you're short on time, pre-cooked sausage can be used. You can substitute the white navy beans with cannellini beans or even chickpeas for a different texture. Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor, so feel free to use them instead of dried if available.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup hot, accompanied by crusty bread or a fresh side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Roasted Garlic Potato Soup for a comforting dinner. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top can add a delightful salty flavor. Consider a light dessert like fruit salad to finish the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to loosen it if necessary. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just ensure it's cooled completely before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sausage Meatball Soup contains roughly 67 calories, with 6g protein, 11g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (70% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (51% of the Daily Value), and iron (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different types of sausage, such as chicken or turkey sausage, for a lighter version. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed, especially if using raw sausage.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the Italian sausage with plant-based sausage alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add more vegetables like bell peppers and carrots for added flavor and nutrition.
How can I thicken the soup if it's too watery?
If you find the soup too watery, mash some of the white navy beans against the side of the pot and stir them back in. This will naturally thicken the broth without altering the flavor. Alternatively, you can add a cornstarch slurry to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).