Crockpot Minestrone Soup
A nourishing and hearty soup packed with Italian flavors, vegetables, and beans, perfect for cozy nights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 3 large carrots, diced (about 1½ cups)
- 5 stalks celery, chopped (about 1½ cups)
- ½ medium yellow onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (approximately 2½ tsp)
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomato pesto (optional)
- 8 small/medium red potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 1½ cups)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 pieces bay leaves
Liquid Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken/beef broth for extra richness)
- 2 cups water
Additional Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 2½ cups frozen baby spinach
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup frozen green beans
- 1½ cups cooked pasta or tortellini (optional, can keep separate)
- to taste Salt and pepper
- for garnish Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Layer your Crockpot with the cooked Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, optional sun-dried tomato pesto, diced carrots, cubed potatoes, chopped celery, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste over these base ingredients.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and water, then stir gently to combine everything evenly.
Cooking
- Cover your Crockpot and set it to low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the vegetables are tender and flavors meld beautifully.
Finishing Touches
- About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the kidney beans, great northern beans, diced zucchini, frozen green beans, and frozen spinach. Cover and let everything mix until the spinach wilts and everything is tender.
- If desired, add the cooked pasta or tortellini just before serving and serve separately to prevent mushiness.
- Remove the bay leaves from the soup, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
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Notes
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to three months. Use fresh produce for enhanced flavor.