Olivia Carter
Minestrone soup is a classic Italian dish that is packed with flavor and nutritious ingredients. It is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day or a quick and healthy weeknight dinner option. While traditional minestrone soup requires some stovetop cooking, you can easily adapt the recipe to be made in a slow cooker.
Making minestrone soup in a slow cooker not only saves you time and effort but also allows the flavors to develop and meld together over several hours of cooking. The slow cooker gently simmers the vegetables, beans, and pasta, resulting in a rich and flavorful soup that is ready to be enjoyed whenever you are.
To make minestrone soup in a slow cooker, start by sautéing onions and garlic in a pan until they are soft and fragrant. Then, transfer the onions and garlic to the slow cooker and add in your choice of diced vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and zucchini. You can also add in canned or fresh tomatoes, vegetable broth, and herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme to enhance the flavors.
Next, add in your choice of beans, such as kidney beans or cannellini beans, and uncooked pasta or rice. Set the slow cooker on low heat and let the soup cook for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, and sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra touch of deliciousness.
So, if you are looking for a fuss-free way to make a delicious and hearty minestrone soup, try using a slow cooker. It will not only save you time but also result in a flavorful and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.
Preparing Minestrone Soup
To make minestrone soup in a slow cooker, follow these simple steps:
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| 1 cup diced onion | In the slow cooker, combine the diced onion with the rest of the vegetables. |
| 1 cup diced carrots | Add the diced carrots to the slow cooker. |
| 1 cup diced celery | Include the diced celery. |
| 2 cloves minced garlic | Add the minced garlic to the slow cooker and mix well. |
| 1 can diced tomatoes | Open the can of diced tomatoes and pour it into the slow cooker. |
| 4 cups vegetable broth | Pour the vegetable broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker. |
| 1 can kidney beans | Drain and rinse the kidney beans, then add them to the slow cooker. |
| 1 cup uncooked pasta | Add the uncooked pasta to the slow cooker and stir. |
| 1 teaspoon dried oregano | Sprinkle the dried oregano over the mixture and stir again. |
| 1 teaspoon dried basil | Do the same with the dried basil. |
| 1/2 teaspoon salt | Add the salt and give it a final stir. |
| 1/4 teaspoon black pepper | Sprinkle the black pepper and mix well. |
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Once the cooking time is up, your delicious minestrone soup will be ready to enjoy!
Instructions for Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
To make slow cooker minestrone soup, follow these steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Transfer the cooked vegetables to a slow cooker.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, water, oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the kidney beans, cannellini beans, pasta, and spinach to the slow cooker. Stir well and continue cooking until the pasta is tender.
- Before serving, remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Your slow cooker minestrone soup is now ready to enjoy! Serve it hot and pair it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients for Minestrone Soup
Here are the ingredients you will need to make Minestrone Soup in a slow cooker:
1. Vegetables
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 carrot, diced
– 1 stalk celery, diced
– 1 zucchini, diced
– 1 cup green beans, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1 can diced tomatoes
2. Beans and Pasta
– 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 cup small pasta (such as macaroni or ditalini)
3. Broth and Seasonings
– 4 cups vegetable broth
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
4. Optional Garnish
– Fresh parsley, chopped
– Parmesan cheese, grated
Make sure to gather all the ingredients before starting the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process. Enjoy!
Necessary Ingredients for Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
To make a delicious and hearty minestrone soup in a slow cooker, you will need the following ingredients:
1. Vegetables
A variety of vegetables forms the base of this soup. You will need:
- Onion: 1 medium-sized, finely chopped
- Carrots: 2 large, diced
- Celery: 2 stalks, sliced
- Zucchini: 1 medium-sized, diced
- Green beans: 1 cup, trimmed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
2. Beans and Tomatoes
These ingredients add richness and texture to the soup. You will need:
- Red kidney beans: 1 can (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
- Diced tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 ounces), with juices
- Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
3. Broth and Seasonings
Broth provides the soup’s liquid base, and seasonings bring out the flavors. You will need:
- Vegetable broth: 4 cups
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Dried basil: 1 teaspoon
- Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
- Salt and pepper: to taste
4. Pasta and Garnish
Pasta adds heartiness to the soup, and garnish enhances the presentation. You will need:
- Small pasta: 1 cup (such as ditalini or elbow)
- Fresh parsley: a handful, chopped
- Parmesan cheese: for serving (optional)
With these ingredients, you’ll be well on your way to creating a delicious minestrone soup in your slow cooker! Make sure to follow the instructions for assembly and cooking to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Cooking Minestrone Soup in a Slow Cooker
Minestrone soup is a classic Italian dish filled with vegetables, beans, and pasta. Traditionally, it is prepared on the stovetop, but you can also make a delicious, hearty minestrone soup in a slow cooker. Using a slow cooker allows the flavors to meld together slowly and ensures a rich, flavorful soup.
To make minestrone soup in a slow cooker, start by gathering your ingredients. You will need:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup of small pasta, such as macaroni or ditalini
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Once you have all your ingredients, it’s time to start cooking. Here’s how:
- Combine the diced onion, chopped carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic in the slow cooker.
- Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, cannellini beans, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The longer the soup cooks, the more flavorful it will be.
- About 20 minutes before serving, add the small pasta to the slow cooker. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the slow cooker again and continue cooking until the pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the minestrone soup hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Minestrone soup made in a slow cooker is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or for feeding a crowd. The flavors develop beautifully over time, and you can easily customize the ingredients to suit your preferences. Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Step-by-Step Process of Making Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Making minestrone soup in a slow cooker is a convenient and delicious way to enjoy this classic Italian dish. Follow these easy steps to prepare a hearty and flavorful minestrone soup.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Before you start, gather all the ingredients you will need:
- 2 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup of chopped carrots
- 1 cup of chopped celery
- 1 cup of chopped onions
- 1 cup of chopped zucchini
- 1 cup of chopped green beans
- 1 cup of cooked kidney beans
- 1 cup of cooked cannellini beans
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of small pasta, such as macaroni or ditalini
- Grated parmesan cheese for serving
Step 2: Prepare Your Slow Cooker
Place the slow cooker on the kitchen countertop and make sure it’s clean and dry. If necessary, give it a quick rinse and wipe it dry with a clean towel.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Add the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, green beans, kidney beans, cannellini beans, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Step 4: Set and Cook
Place the lid on the slow cooker and set the temperature to low. Let the minestrone soup cook for 6-8 hours or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 5: Add Pasta
About 15-20 minutes before the cooking time is up, add the small pasta to the slow cooker. Stir well to submerge the pasta in the soup. Cover and continue cooking until the pasta is cooked al dente.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the minestrone soup is ready, remove the bay leaf and ladle the soup into bowls. Serve hot, sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy this comforting and delicious slow cooker minestrone soup!
Questions and answers
How long does it take to cook minestrone soup in a slow cooker?
Minestrone soup typically takes about 6-8 hours to cook in a slow cooker on low heat. If you prefer a faster cooking time, you can cook it on high heat for 3-4 hours.
Can I freeze minestrone soup made in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can freeze minestrone soup made in a slow cooker. Allow the soup to cool completely, and then divide it into freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Label the containers with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I use different vegetables in minestrone soup?
Yes, you can use different vegetables in minestrone soup. Minestrone is a versatile soup that can be customized to your taste. Some popular additions include bell peppers, potatoes, green beans, and cabbage. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables to create your own unique minestrone recipe.
