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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone
On December 16, 2023 by userHere’s a simple and delicious Slow Cooker Vegetarian Minestrone recipe that’s packed with vegetables, beans, and flavorful herbs. The slow cooker allows the flavors to meld together, creating a hearty and satisfying soup.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped zucchini
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
- 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or small shells)
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prep Vegetables:
- Chop carrots, celery, zucchini, and onion. Mince garlic.
- Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker:
- In the slow cooker, combine kidney beans, cannellini beans, chopped carrots, celery, zucchini, onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Cook on Low:
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender.
- Add Kale/Spinach and Pasta:
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the chopped kale or spinach and the pasta. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente.
- Adjust Seasoning:
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve:
- Discard the bay leaf before serving.
- Ladle the Vegetarian Minestrone into bowls.
- Optionally, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
- Enjoy:
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious and nutritious slow cooker Vegetarian Minestrone!
This recipe is versatile, so feel free to customize it by adding other vegetables you enjoy. You can also adjust the herbs and spices to suit your taste preferences. It’s a perfect, comforting dish for cooler days and makes for great leftovers.