SLOW-COOKER BEAN AND SAUSAGE MINESTRONE

Slow-Cooker Bean and Sausage Minestrone image

Let this comforting soup simmer all day and come home to a hearty meal at night. Sausage is a great item to buy in bulk when it's on sale-just freeze to have on-hand for last-minute dinners.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 10h55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

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Ingredients

1 package (20 ounces) 15-dried bean soup mix, sorted and rinsed
8 cups water
12 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)
2 cans (14 ounces each) beef broth
2 cups water
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained and large pieces cut up
1/2 cup uncooked small pasta shells
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

If bean soup mix comes with seasoning mix, discard it. Heat beans and 8 cups water to boiling in 4-quart saucepan; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes; remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour.
Cook sausage and onion in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain if necessary.
Drain beans and discard water. Mix beans, sausage mixture, carrots, broth and 2 cups water in 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours.
Stir in tomatoes and pasta. Increase heat setting to High. Cover and cook about 30 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle individual servings with cheese and parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 64 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fiber 9 g, Protein 22 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1400 mg, Sugar 10 g, TransFat 0 g