SLOW-COOKER MINESTRONE

Slow-Cooker Minestrone image

There's nothing quite like the comfort of warm homemade soup, and it's even better when your slow cooker does most of the work for you! This slow-cooker minestrone is easy to put together but has all the flavor of a high-effort dish. -Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 6h50m

Yield 12 servings (4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 carton (32 ounces) vegetable or chicken stock
3 cups V8 or tomato juice
2 cups water
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) cut green beans, drained
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 cup uncooked ditalini or other small pasta
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Combine the first 13 ingredients in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in beans, zucchini and pasta. Cook, covered, on high about 30 minutes longer, until pasta is tender. Discard bay leaves. If desired, top with grated Parmesan cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 813mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 7g protein.