Description
This hearty Homemade Minestrone Soup is a comforting Italian classic made easy in a slow cooker. Packed with fresh vegetables, beans, and small pasta, this nourishing soup blends vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal. Perfect for meal prep or cozy dinners, it simmers slowly to develop rich depth and is finished with fresh spinach and optional Parmesan cheese for an authentic touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Canned Goods
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids and Broth
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 1/2 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large slow cooker, add olive oil, chopped onion, diced carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic. Stir well to combine the aromatics and coat them lightly in olive oil.
- Add main ingredients: Layer in the diced zucchini, canned diced tomatoes, rinsed kidney beans, rinsed cannellini beans, vegetable broth, and water into the slow cooker.
- Season the soup: Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, stir the small pasta into the soup. Continue cooking until the pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Incorporate spinach: Just before you’re ready to serve, stir in the fresh chopped spinach and allow it to wilt gently within the hot soup.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy a nutritious and flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if not vegetarian.
- Feel free to use other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells.
- For a gluten-free option, replace pasta with gluten-free pasta or omit entirely.
- Adding Parmesan cheese is optional but enhances the soup’s flavor.
- This soup reheats well and flavors deepen after a day.
- Adjust salt according to your preference; canned goods may contain sodium.
