simmering all night long...

via Little Spice Jar

When I came home from work yesterday, I started prepping this Minestrone Soup so it would simmer all night.  This morning, I added the beans, spinach, zucchini and yellow squash and now, it's soup time. I love having soup ready for the week and I am just addicted to homemade soup with tons of vegetables in it.  There is nothing more delightful and healthy to eat in the winter.

Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} via Little Spice Jar

 

"An easy to make, minestrone soup recipe that tastes 1000 times better than the Olive Garden's version! My minestrone soup is loaded with good for you veggies, like spinach and zucchini. It's also protein packed with red kidney beans and great northern beans. You'll be full for hours from this healthy, nutritious soup!"

 

Author: Little Spice Jar

Serves: 6-8 servings

 

Ingredients

• 2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomato pesto
• 1 parmesan rind
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1¼ cup celery, diced
• 1½ cup white onion, diced
• 4 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 sprig rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• 2 bay leaves
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1½ cups zucchini, diced
• 1½ cups tubular (ditalini) pasta
• 1 cup frozen green beans, thawed
• 2½ cups baby spinach, chopped
• Finely shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving (or Romano)

Instructions

1. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato pesto, parmesan rind, vegetable stock, water, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves to a slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook on low heat 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.
2. Add in red kidney beans, great northern beans, zucchini, and pasta and cook on high heat for an additional 20 - 25 minutes until pasta is tender. Stir in the spinach and green beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through. Serve warm topped with parmesan cheese and garlic toasts.