Step 1

Gently combine the meatball ingredients, don’t overwork the meat, we want tender meatballs.

Step 2

Roll the meat into 1-inch balls.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Brown the meatballs in batches for 2-3 minutes. The inside of the meatball will finish cooking in the soup.

Step 5

Remove the meatballs and set aside.

Step 6

Add the onions, carrots, and celery and sauté for 5 minutes, until softened.

Step 7

Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute.

Step 8

Add the chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Step 9

Bring to a boil.

Step 10

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the meatballs and pasta.

Step 11

Simmer for 10 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.

Step 12

Stir in the spinach.

Step 13

Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese and serve!

Step 14

Gently combine the meatball ingredients. Don't overwork the meat.

Step 15

Roll the meat into 1-inch balls.

Step 16

This Crock Pot allows you to brown the meatballs on the stove top first. I recommend this as the brown bits left on the bottom of the pot transfer lots of flavor into the soup.

Step 17

Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and browned meatballs.

Step 18

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Step 19

Add the acini de pepe and cook on low for 30 minutes.

Step 20

Stir in the Spinach.

Step 21

Top with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and serve!

Step 22

Gently combine the meatball ingredients. Don't overwork the meat.

Step 23

Roll the meat into 1-inch balls.

Step 24

Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add the olive oil.

Step 25

Brown the meatballs in batches for about 3 minutes, until all sides are brown.

Step 26

Remove the meatballs from the pot and add the onions, carrots, and celery. Saute for 5 minutes, until softened.

Step 27

Add the garlic, saute for 1 minute.

Step 28

Add the chicken broth. Run a silicone spatula along the bottom of the pot to release the brown bits, his helps mitigate the burn indicator that we tend to see with Instant Pots.

Step 29

Add the Italian seasoning and meatballs.

Step 30

Close the lid and seal the valve. Pressure Cook for 5 minutes.

Step 31

Flip the quick release valve and allow the steam to escape.

Step 32

Add the acini de pepe and press the saute button. Cook for 9 minutes.

Step 33

Stir in the spinach, garnish with fresh Parmesan and parsley, and serve!