Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup with Beans
Italian-style vegetable and bean soup cooked low and slow. Crushed tomatoes, carrots, celery, and two varieties of beans simmer for hours until tender, then small pasta and fresh spinach finish the dish in the final minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan.
Ingredients
- 28 ounce crushed tomatoes, canned
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- ½ whole white onion, diced
- 3 whole bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 15 ounce kidney beans, canned, drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce great northern beans, canned, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup small shaped pastaditalini or elbow1:1texture
traditional minestrone shapes
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- 1
Add crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, sliced carrots, diced celery, diced onion, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to a large slow cooker.
- 2
Cover and cook on high for 3 hours until vegetables are tender.
- 3
Stir in drained kidney beans, drained great northern beans, and pasta.
- 4
Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes until pasta is tender.
- 5
Remove lid, add spinach, stir well, and cook until spinach wilts.
- 6
Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Tips
Do not add pasta at the start to avoid mushy, overcooked noodles.
Rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and digestive discomfort.
Bay leaves can be difficult to locate after cooking; remove before serving or warn diners.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months.
Prepare ingredient list and store in slow cooker insert overnight in refrigerator. Add broth and tomatoes in the morning, then proceed with cooking.
Ladle into bowls. Offer grated Parmesan cheese, crusty bread, and a drizzle of olive oil on the side.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip rinsing beans to avoid excess sodium and potential digestive upset.
Do not add pasta at the beginning to prevent it from becoming mushy and breaking apart.
Do not overcook spinach; add it only at the very end and stir just until wilted to retain color and texture.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
traditional minestrone shapes