Italian Wedding Soup Freezer Meal Recipe
Hey busy parents who want to come home to something yummy, gather 'round! I've got a secret weapon for you in the kitchen – freezer meals. And today's star is Italian Wedding Soup.
Hey busy folks and culinary lovers, come to the table! I’ve got a secret weapon for you in the kitchen – freezer meals. And today’s star is Italian Wedding Soup. With our crazy schedules, who has time to cook every night? That’s where this freezer meal gem comes in.
Life these days can feel like a whirlwind, with work, family, and a hundred other commitments tugging at your time. It’s all too easy to resort to takeout or frozen dinners when exhaustion takes over. But fear not, because I’m here to tell you about a game-changing solution that will have you feeling like a kitchen superhero.
Freezer meals are a stroke of genius, a culinary safety net that ensures you never have to compromise on a wholesome, homemade meal. Think about it – spending a little time in the kitchen now to prepare a big batch of Italian Wedding Soup means you’ll have comforting, hearty bowls of goodness waiting for you in the freezer whenever you need them.
Picture this: a chilly evening after a hectic day, and all you have to do is grab that freezer bag filled with Italian Wedding Soup.
So stay tuned, because I’m going to walk you through how to make this delicious Italian Wedding Soup ahead of time, freeze it in convenient portions, and savor the convenience of homemade meals, even on the busiest of days. Get ready to reclaim your dinnertime, one freezer meal at a time!
Why you’ll Love this Make-Ahead Italian Wedding Soup
- Time-Saving Delight
- Family Friendly
- Budget-Friendly
- Homemade Happiness
- Portion Control
- Comfort Food
Italian Wedding Soup Freezer Meal Recipe
Hey busy parents who want to come home to something yummy, gather 'round! I've got a secret weapon for you in the kitchen – freezer meals. And today's star is Italian Wedding Soup.
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker or Crockpot
- 1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 6 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup carrots diced
- 3/4 cup frozen onions diced
- 3/4 cup celery diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup acini di pepe
- 6-10 oz spinach
- parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
Freezer Prep DIrections:
- Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
- Preheat oven to 400. Roll ground sausage into tiny meatballs. You should be able to get 30-40 meatballs out of 1 lb. of ground sausage.
- Cook meatballs in preheated oven for 4-5 minutes.
- Set aside to cool before adding to freezer bag.
- Add cooled meatballs and remaining ingredients, except broth, spinach, and acini de pepe, into a freezer bag.
- Seal bag, removing as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months.
Slow Cooker Directions:
- Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
- Dump contents of the freezer bag, plus 6 cups of chicken broth, to a slow cooker.
- Cook on low 8-10 hours
- During the last hour of cooking time, add pasta and spinach.
- Serve and enjoy! Optional: Garnish with parmesan cheese.
Instant Pot Directions
- Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 6 cups chicken broth.
- Set to High Pressure for 7 minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Open Instant pot, stir in acini di pepe, set valve to deal and set to high pressure cook for 2 minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Stir in spinach until wilted, serve and enjoy! Optional: Garnish with parmesan cheese.
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten-Free:
Make it Dairy-Free:
- Use gluten-free Acini di pepe, and ensure your broth is gluten-free.
- Use dairy-free parmesan cheese.
Freezer Labels
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 363kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 10584mgPotassium: 1865mgFiber: 16gSugar: 10gCalcium: 491mgIron: 18mg
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Equipment Needed to Make Quick and Easy Italian Wedding Soup
- 1 Slow Cooker or Crockpot
- 1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients for your Italian Wedding Soup
- 1 lb Ground italian sausage
- 6 cup Chicken broth
- 3/4 cup Carrots diced
- 3/4 cup Frozen onion diced
- 3/4 cup Celery diced
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 cup Acini di pepe
- 6-10 oz Frozen or Fresh Spinach
- Parmesan cheese (garnish) Optional
How to Make an Italian Wedding Soup
Prep/freezer directions:
Prep/freezer dIrections:
- Label Freezer bag with Recipe name, cooking from frozen directions and expiration date (todays date plus three months).
- Preheat oven to 400. Roll ground sausage into tiny meatballs. You should be able to get 30-40 meatballs out of 1 lb. of ground sausage.
- Cook meatballs in preheated oven for 4-5 minutes.
- Set aside to cool for a bit after cooking then add to freezer bag.
- Add remaining ingredients, except broth, spinach, and acini de pepe, into a freezer bag.
- Seal bag, removing as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months.
Cooking directions:
- Thaw overnight in fridge or in the morning in water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is ok)
- Dump contents of gallon freezer bag into slow cooker,
- Add 6 cups broth to slow cooker
- Cook on low 8-10 hours
- During the last hour of cooking time, add pasta and spinach.
- Serve and enjoy! Optional: Garnish with parmesan cheese.
What to serve/pair with your Make-Ahead Italian Wedding Soup
Sides:
- Garlic Bread
- Caesar Salad
- Caprese Skewers
Desserts:
- Tiramisu
- Lemon Sorbet
- Cannoli
Mocktails:
- Cranberry Spritzer
- Ginger Lemon Fizz
- Sparkling Cranberry Punch
Popular Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions:
- Vegetarian Italian Sausage: If you prefer a vegetarian version of Italian Wedding Soup, you can substitute the ground Italian sausage with vegetarian Italian sausage crumbles. They provide a similar savory flavor and texture without meat.
- Vegetable Broth: To make the soup vegetarian-friendly or if you prefer a milder flavor, you can replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. It will still provide a rich and flavorful base for your soup.
- Orzo Pasta: If you don’t have Acini di pepe on hand, you can use orzo pasta as a substitute. Orzo is a small pasta shape that works well in soups and will give your Italian Wedding Soup a slightly different texture.
Additions:
- Meatballs: To enhance the meaty aspect of the soup, you can add homemade or store-bought meatballs. Form small meatballs from ground beef or a mixture of beef and pork, season them with Italian herbs, and cook them separately before adding them to the soup.
- Fresh Basil: For a burst of fresh herb flavor, add some chopped fresh basil leaves to the soup just before serving. It will complement the Italian flavors and add a lovely aroma.
- Lemon Zest: To brighten up the flavors of your soup, consider adding a little lemon zest. The citrusy notes will provide a refreshing contrast to the savory broth.
These substitutions and additions can tailor your Italian Wedding Soup to your taste preferences and dietary choices and still maintain its freezer friendliness. Enjoy your customized bowl of soup!
How to Reheat and Store Italian Wedding Soup after cooking?
Best way to Store Easy Italian Wedding Soup leftovers?
The best way to store Italian Wedding Soup leftovers is to first, allow the soup to cool to room temperature. Transfer the soup to airtight containers, ensuring they are completely sealed to prevent any air from entering.
It’s a good idea to portion the soup into smaller containers, so you can easily reheat only the amount you need in the future. Label the containers with the date of preparation for easy tracking.
Alternatively, if you have individual servings of Italian Wedding Soup, you can use freezer-safe bags. Remove excess air from the bags before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Again, label the bags with the date for reference.
How long will Italian Wedding Soup leftovers last in the fridge?
When you properly cool and use the correct containers for storage, your Italian Wedding Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Can I freeze delicious Italian Wedding Soup after cooking?
Freezing Italian Wedding Soup is a great way to have a quick and delicious meal on hand for later. Here’s how to do it right. First, allow your soup to cool down completely in the refrigerator after cooking.
Once it’s cooled, portion the leftovers into individual servings. You can use airtight containers or freezer bags for this. Leave some space at the top of the containers to accommodate expansion during freezing, or remove excess air from the freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.
Don’t forget to label each container or bag with the date and a brief description for easy identification. Then, place them in the freezer. Your Italian Wedding Soup will maintain its quality and flavors for up to 2-3 months in the freezer, giving you a convenient and tasty meal whenever you need it.
To prepare Italian Wedding Soup as a raw freezer meal, start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, take your ground Italian sausage and roll it into small, meatballs. With one pound of sausage, you can typically make around 40 meatballs. Once your meatballs are rolled and ready, place them in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 5 minutes.
Next, gather your other ingredients. Add these ingredients into a gallon-sized freezer bag. It’s important not to add the broth, pasta, or spinach at this stage; you’ll do that on the day of cooking. Once your meatballs have cooled, add them to the same gallon freezer bag containing the vegetables and seasonings.
Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Now, your Italian Wedding Soup is ready to be frozen and can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
How to Reheat Family Friendly Italian Wedding Soup leftovers?
Reheating your Italian Wedding Soup freezer meal is a straightforward process. If your meal was stored in the freezer, begin by allowing it to thaw completely. You can choose from three effective thawing methods: overnight in the fridge, submerging the freezer bag in cold water, or using the microwave’s defrost setting for a gradual thaw. Once your meal has thawed thoroughly, you can proceed to reheat it using any of these approaches:
- Stovetop Reheating: Place a saucepan over medium-low heat, add the thawed Italian Wedding Soup, and stir occasionally until it’s heated through.
- Microwave Reheating: If you’re short on time, the microwave is a convenient option. Put the thawed Italian Wedding Soup on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring between each interval.
These reheating methods make enjoying your Italian Wedding Soup meal quick and hassle-free.
Quick and Easy Italian Wedding Soup Recipe FAQs
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