Description
A hearty and wholesome Slow Cooker Minestrone soup packed with fresh vegetables, kidney beans, and tender pasta, simmered slowly to develop rich flavors. Perfect for an easy, comforting meal that requires minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
Beans and Tomatoes
- 1 can (14 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Chop the onion, dice the carrots, celery, and zucchini, and drain and rinse the kidney beans to ensure they are clean and ready for cooking.
- Add to the slow cooker: Place the chopped vegetables, kidney beans, canned diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried basil, and oregano into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
- Season: Add salt and pepper according to your taste preferences, ensuring the flavors are balanced before cooking.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the soup on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
- Add pasta: About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, stir in the small pasta and continue cooking until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Serve: Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, serve the soup warm and garnish with fresh parsley if desired for a bright, fresh flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute the small pasta with gluten-free pasta if you prefer a gluten-free version.
- To make the soup heartier, add other vegetables like green beans or spinach towards the end of cooking.
- Adjust the seasoning before serving as the slow cooking process can mellow the herbs.
- For a protein boost, you can add cooked sausage or chicken, though this will change the dietary classification.
- Stir occasionally if possible to ensure even cooking and prevent the pasta from sticking.
