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Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
4
servings306
Calories/servingSlow Cooker Minestrone Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish packed with vibrant vegetables, beans, and whole-wheat pasta. This classic Italian-inspired soup features a rich broth seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic, slow-cooked with carrots, celery, green beans, tomatoes, and legumes. Just before serving, fresh zucchini, spinach, and cooked ditalini pasta are added for a wholesome finish. Garnished with parsley, this comforting soup is perfect for a satisfying and healthy meal.
Ingredients
- 1
medium onion (yellow preferred), finely chopped - 2 cups
sliced carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
- 2 cups
sliced celery (about 5 medium ribs of celery)
- 2 cups
chopped green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon
salt-free Italian seasoning blend
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon
salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
pepper
- 3 cups
fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
- One 15.5 ounce
can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, drained
- One 15.5 ounce
can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 3
medium bay leaves
- 1
medium zucchini, finely chopped
- 1 cup
frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 1 cup
whole-wheat ditalini pasta or medium pasta shells
- 2 teaspoons
avocado or olive oil
- 1 cup
chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
Put the onion, carrots, celery, and green beans in a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Stir in the Italian seasoning blend, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Pour in the chicken broth. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, chickpeas, and bay leaves. Do not stir. Cook, covered, on high for 5 hours or on low for 10 hours.
Thirty minutes before serving, using tongs, discard the bay leaves. Stir in the zucchini and spinach. If using the low setting, change it to high and re-cover the slow cooker. Cook for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the ditalini pasta according to the package directions. Drain well in a colander. Drizzle the oil over the pasta, tossing to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
When the soup is finished cooking, ladle it into serving bowls. Top with the pasta, and sprinkle with the parsley.
Nutrition Facts
- 306 Calories/serving|16g Protein/serving | 12g Fiber/serving
