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Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Slow Cooker Minestrone Recipe

This Minestrone Soup isn’t just another recipe; it’s a fantastic solution for busy weeknights, meal prep, or simply when you crave something truly wholesome and delicious. Here’s why it’s destined to become a family favorite:

• Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does all the hard work! Simply ‘dump and go’, and let time transform simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal without you having to constantly babysit the pot.
• Rich, Deep Flavors: Slow cooking allows all the herbs, vegetables, and tomato base to meld together beautifully, creating a complex and comforting flavor profile that’s truly satisfying.
• Nutrient-Packed: Bursting with colorful vegetables and protein-rich beans, this soup is incredibly healthy and filling. It’s a wonderful way to boost your daily vegetable intake.
• Feeds a Crowd: This recipe makes a generous batch, perfect for feeding a family, entertaining guests, or ensuring you have delicious leftovers for days.
• Highly Customizable: Don’t have a specific veggie on hand? No problem! This soup is incredibly forgiving and adaptable. Use what you have and make it your own.
• Meal Prep Dream: Minestrone often tastes even better the next day, making it an ideal candidate for meal prepping. It stores well in the refrigerator and freezes beautifully.

Quick Glance:

• Total Time: Approximately 55 minutes (active prep is minimal, the rest is slow cook time)
• Perfect For: Meatless Mondays, cozy family dinners, easy weeknight meals, or healthy meal prep
• Key Ingredients: Diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, a medley of fresh vegetables (carrots, celery, onion, zucchini, spinach), assorted beans, pasta, and aromatic herbs.
• Servings: Yields 7 generous servings
• Skill Level: Easy – perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike!
• Storage: Excellent for refrigeration and freezer-friendly.

For a delightful creamy twist, be sure to try our Slow Cooker Rotel Creamy Chicken Pasta!

Made With Love,

Julia Pacheco

Essential Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

The beauty of minestrone lies in its fresh, wholesome ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes this slow cooker version truly special:

• Tomatoes & Broth: The heart of any great minestrone. Diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and sun-dried tomatoes create a rich, complex tomato base that pairs perfectly with vegetable broth to tie all the flavors together.
• Carrots, Celery & Onion: Often referred to as the “holy trinity” or soffritto in Italian cooking, this aromatic trio forms the foundational flavor base, adding a depth of sweetness and savoriness.
• Beans: Kidney beans and great northern beans lend a hearty texture and significant protein boost, making this soup incredibly satisfying and nutritious. They absorb the flavors beautifully as they simmer.
• Pasta: Small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells are ideal. They cook up tender and absorb the broth without becoming mushy, ensuring the perfect bite in every spoonful.
• Spinach & Zucchini: Added towards the end, these vibrant greens and fresh zucchini bring a wonderful freshness, color, and additional nutrients to the finished soup.
• Herbs & Spices: Dried oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves infuse the broth with classic Italian aromas, elevating the overall taste. Fresh garlic provides a pungent kick.

If you adore vegetable-rich soups, our Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup is another must-try!

Full Ingredients List

Below is the complete list of ingredients you’ll need to create this comforting Slow Cooker Minestrone. Gather these fresh components to ensure the best flavor!

• 28 oz (approx. 794g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained and chopped)
• 6 cups vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
• 4 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
• 4 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 ½ cups ditalini pasta (or small shells, elbow macaroni)
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• 3 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped if leaves are large)
• Fresh Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional, but highly recommended)

The printable recipe card at the end of this article includes the full ingredient list with precise amounts, perfect for saving or printing for later use.

How to Make Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delicious minestrone in your slow cooker is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps for a satisfying meal:

Step 1: Combine Initial Ingredients. To a large slow cooker (6-quart or larger recommended), add the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato paste, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, vegetable broth, sliced carrots, sliced celery, diced onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir all these ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are well combined and the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Slow Cook. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook the soup mixture on the LOW setting for 7 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 4 hours. The goal is for the carrots, celery, and onion to become tender and the flavors to fully meld together, creating a rich broth.

Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients. Once the initial cooking time is complete and the vegetables are tender, stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans, great northern beans, diced zucchini, ditalini pasta, and frozen green beans. Mix everything gently to combine.

Step 4: Finish Cooking the Pasta. Replace the lid and continue cooking the soup on the HIGH setting for an additional 30–45 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and cooked through. Be sure to check the pasta periodically to prevent overcooking, as cooking times can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and pasta type.

Step 5: Prepare for Serving. Carefully remove and discard the bay leaves from the soup. Ladle the hot minestrone into individual bowls. Before serving, sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting flavors!

All step-by-step instructions are also conveniently located in the printable recipe card below. Don’t forget to save it for later!

Delicious Variations & Customizations for Your Minestrone

One of the best things about Minestrone is its flexibility! Feel free to customize this recipe to your taste or with whatever ingredients you have on hand:

• Add a Protein Boost: For a heartier meal, stir in cooked shredded chicken, browned Italian sausage, or even ground turkey during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Creamy Twist: For a richer, creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a swirl of dairy-free cream (like coconut milk) just before serving.
• Gluten-Free Option: Easily make this soup gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free small pasta shape. Add it at the same stage and cook until tender.
• Different Greens: Instead of spinach, try stirring in chopped kale or collard greens for a heartier, more robust green. Add them at the same time as the spinach, allowing a few extra minutes for them to wilt.
• Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings in Step 1.
• Additional Vegetables: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or peas during the last hour of cooking.
• Pesto Swirl: For an extra boost of fresh, herby flavor, stir in a spoonful of pesto into each bowl before serving.

For another fantastic slow cooker favorite, don’t miss our Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

For a robust dinner spread, consider serving this Minestrone alongside our Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos.

Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

This Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup is a meal in itself, but a few simple additions can elevate your dining experience:

• Garlic Bread or Crusty Rolls: Perfect for soaking up the delicious broth.
• Fresh Green Salad: A light side salad with a simple Italian vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast.
• Extra Parmesan Cheese: A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese on top of each bowl is highly recommended for added flavor.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a burst of color and aroma.
• Dessert: Finish your comforting meal with something sweet like our easy Oreo Dump Cake.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Instructions

This Minestrone is fantastic for preparing in advance and enjoying throughout the week:

• Refrigerator Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. The pasta will absorb more liquid over time, so you might need to add a splash of broth when reheating.
• Freezer Storage: For longer storage, freeze the soup for up to 2 months. As mentioned, for best results, it’s ideal to freeze the soup without the pasta. If you do freeze it with pasta, know that the pasta might be softer upon reheating. Ensure the soup is completely cooled before transferring to freezer-safe containers or bags.
• Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl. If the soup has thickened too much in storage, add a little extra vegetable broth or water to reach your desired consistency.