Get my Latest Recipes sent to your inbox:

Creamy Slow Cooker Meatball Orzo Stew

4.7 from 22 votes

Recipe by Danelle

Jump to recipe

Start Cooking

Share this recipe

 Meatballs are simmered in a creamy broth with orzo pasta, fresh thyme and Parmesan cheese in this hearty slow cooker soup recipe.

Meatball Orzo Stew

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Creamy Slow Cooker Meatball Orzo Stew twice in the last few weeks, and even served it for company over Christmas break. That’s how much we love this soup!

Our guests loved it too. I served it with a green salad and some crusty bread and everyone was happy. And it makes enough to feed a crowd, so it’s perfect for serving guests.

Besides being absolutely delicious, satisfying comfort food, it is one of the easiest soup recipes I’ve ever made in my slow cooker.

When it’s easy and the whole family devours it, I know I’ve got a keeper! Or maybe I should say “winner, winner, meatball dinner.”

Creamy Slow Cooker Meatball Orzo Stew

Basically, you dump some cocktail sized frozen meatballs into your slow cooker, cover them in broth and seasonings, and walk away for a few hours.

About 30 minutes before dinner is served, you stir in your orzo, cream and Parmesan cheese. That’s literally all there is too it.

Of course, you could always make your meatballs from scratch, and I’m sure it would be amazing. I might even try it some time.

But I was really going for a quick to prepare, easy meal, and the frozen meatballs work perfectly for that.

I really do recommend the fresh thyme–you just toss it while your meatballs simmer. It has a way of making this stew seem a little more fancy. But a teaspoon or so of dried thyme will work in a pinch.

I hope you love this meatball orzo stew as much as we do!

Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

Creamy Slow Cooker Meatball Orzo Stew

Ingredients

  • Frozen meatballs
  • Chicken broth
  • Produce: garlic, fresh thyme
  • Spices: onion powder, salt and pepper
  • Orzo pasta
  • Heavy cream
  • Parmesan cheese
Meatball Orzo Stew

Creamy Slow Cooker Meatball Orzo Stew

Meatballs are simmered in a creamy broth with orzo pasta, fresh thyme and Parmesan cheese in this hearty slow cooker soup recipe.
4.73 from 22 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Danelle

Ingredients 

  • 40 frozen cocktail-size meatballs
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place meatballs in a lightly greased slow cooker. Pour in broth, then stir in garlic, onion powder and thyme.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, turn slow cooker to high. Stir in orzo, cream and Parmesan.
  • Cover and cook on high until orzo is tender, 30-40 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove thyme sprigs before serving.

Video

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Tried this recipe?Tag @letsdish on Instagram

2 comments

  • Can you add everything all at once in the crock pot and leave it?

    • A
      Danelle

      It might work, but I’ve never tried it. I think the orzo could get a little mushy if it cooked that long. That would be the main issue, I think. But it’s worth a try. I’m sure it would still taste good.

4.73 from 22 votes (22 ratings without comment)

Leave your comment

Recipe Rating




photo of Danelle, author of Let's Dish

Hello! Iโ€™m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.

At Let's Dish, I'm bringing a taste of uptown foodie to real-life, everyday meals! Here, I share my favorite recipes that make mealtime easy.
More About Me