Minestrone Soup Crock Pot

A hearty and comforting minestrone soup made with Italian herbs, beans, pasta, and vegetables that is cooked slowly in a crock pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 can 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 15 oz cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup small pasta such as ditalini or elbow
• 2 cups chopped spinach or kale
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese optional, for serving

Instructions:

Put minced garlic, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and dried thyme in a slow cooker

Then add the onion, carrots, celery, and beans

Put the lid on and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, until the vegetables are soft

Add the pasta and chopped spinach or kale about 30 minutes before you serve

Keep cooking with the lid on until the pasta is soft

Add pepper and salt to taste

If you want, you can sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the hot dish