OVER-THE-RAINBOW MINESTRONE

Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone image

This colorful soup is vegetarian-friendly and full of fresh flavors from a rainbow of vegetables. You can use any multicolored pasta in place of the spirals. -Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 6h40m

Yield 10 servings (3-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

4 large stems Swiss chard (about 1/2 pound) or fresh baby spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
6 cups vegetable broth
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 medium yellow summer squash or zucchini, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium sweet red or yellow pepper, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 cups uncooked spiral pasta or small pasta shells
1/4 cup prepared pesto
Optional toppings: Additional prepared pesto, shredded Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes and minced fresh basil

Steps:

Cut stems from chard; chop stems and leaves separately. Reserve leaves for adding later. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and chard stems; cook and stir until tender, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker., Stir in broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, squash, pepper, carrot and garlic. Cook, covered, on low until vegetables are tender, 6-8 hours., Stir in pasta and reserved chard leaves. Cook, covered, on low, until pasta is tender, 20-25 minutes longer; stir in pesto. If desired, serve with additional pesto, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 1015mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 9g protein.