Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

Crock Pot Minestrone Soup is a hearty, vegetable-packed Italian classic that’s both nutritious and comforting. This slow cooker recipe combines a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta and simmers for hours to enhance their natural flavors. It’s easy to make, tastes amazing, and is a healthy way to feed your family. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze!

This minestrone soup recipe simplifies the cooking process by letting the slow cooker do the work, resulting in a delicious meal. This dish is an excellent choice for a wholesome, make-ahead dinner. Perfect for meal prep, it reheats beautifully and allows for plenty of customization based on seasonal ingredients or dietary preferences.

This slow-cooked minestrone delivers rich flavor with minimal effort. Unlike stovetop versions, the crock pot slowly melds flavors, creating a deep, hearty broth. Whether you keep it vegetarian or add ground beef, turkey, or sausage, it’s always satisfying. If you love tomato based soups, this Two Bean Tomato Soup and my Pasta e Fagioli Soup are both easy to prepare and inexpensive to make.

Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

If you’re a busy mom (or just someone trying to keep grocery costs in check), this vegetable-packed Italian classic is a lifesaver. It’s packed with affordable ingredients like canned beans, pasta, and whatever veggies you have on hand. Plus, it makes a big batch, so you get multiple meals out of one pot.

The slow cooker does all the work for this easy minestrone soup without spending hours in the kitchen. That time saved in the kitchen means more time with my family or just relaxing, knowing dinner will be ready when we are ready to eat.

More Easy Slow Cooker Meals on a Budget

Looking for more tasty, budget-friendly slow cooker recipes? These are some of our favorites that are always on rotation.

• Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
• Easy Slow Cooked Italian Chicken
• Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
• Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Eating on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing taste. With simple, affordable ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can serve up delicious, home-cooked meals without breaking the bank!

Timesaving Tips and Variations

Save time and make this soup work for your schedule with a few easy tricks. Whether you’re prepping ahead or making substitutions, these tips will keep things simple without sacrificing flavor.

• Chop veggies the night before and store them in the fridge.
• Use Frozen Vegetables – No need to thaw; just toss them in.
• Substitute the kidney beans for black beans or pinto beans.
• Be sure to rinse and drain the canned beans before adding to the soup.
• Use any small pasta in place of the ditalini.
• Add leftover chicken, sausage, or ground turkey to save cooking time.
• Swap pasta for rice or a grain-free alternative.
• Add red pepper flakes or Italian sausage for extra heat.

With a few shortcuts and ingredient swaps, you can have a stress-free, tasty meal that fits your needs. Customize it however you like, and enjoy a warm, hearty bowl with minimal effort!

What to Serve with Minestrone Soup?

This soup, with its hearty blend of vegetables and pasta, pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Consider these options to complement your meal.

• Twice Baked Potatoes
• Simple Spinach Salad with Basil
• Easy Skillet Rosemary Dinner Rolls

This is just a small list of sides to serve with this recipe. Personally, I love a grilled cheese sandwich and this Grilled Cheese Mushroom Sandwich is my new favorite. Sometimes a simple tossed salad is all you need to go with soups.

How do I store leftover soup?

To store leftover minestrone soup, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It’s important to allow the soup to cool before refrigerating to maintain food safety. The soup will be good for about three to four days. Perfect for lunches or dinners the next day or two.

How do I reheat minestrone soup?

Reheating the minestrone soup is easy. You can reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until it simmers, or use a microwave. When microwaving, heat in short intervals and stir it a couple of times.

This soup’s not just tasty, it’s super handy too. You can make a big batch for the week, freeze some for later, or feed a bunch of people. It’s just good, easy comfort food.

Can I prepare crock pot minestrone soup in advance?

Yes, you can prepare parts of this recipe in advance. Chopping the vegetables the night before and storing them in the refrigerator reduces preparation time. In the morning, you can simply add the prepped vegetables to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients, making it easier to manage on busy days.

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Suggested Kitchen Tools for Slow Cooker Soups

Having the right tools makes cooking even easier. These essentials help with chopping, measuring, and cooking for a smooth, hassle-free process.

• Hamilton Beach 6 Qt. Slow Cooker
• cutting board
• sharp knife
• measuring cups and spoons
• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
• soup ladle
• soup bowls

The items recommended will streamline the process, saving you time while ensuring a flavorful, stress-free meal!

On a cold day, a big bowl of this slow cooker minestrone soup hits the spot. It makes a lot, which is great for leftovers or freezing. With all the vegetables, it’s also a healthy, low-sodium, low-fat option. healthy, low-sodium, low-fat option.

Ingredients Needed to Make Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

You’ll find making crock pot minestrone soup at home is really simple, thanks to a mix of good, basic ingredients.

• Diced Carrots, Celery, Onions, and Zucchini: These form the foundational vegetable base, providing essential vitamins, fiber, and a variety of textures.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Paste: These contribute a rich, savory flavor and vibrant color to the broth, adding depth and a touch of sweetness.
• Vegetable Broth: This serves as the liquid base, infusing the soup with flavor and creating a comforting, warm broth.
• Canned Beans: These add heartiness and protein, making the soup more substantial and satisfying.
• Ditalini Pasta: This provides a comforting texture and substance, absorbing the flavors of the broth and other ingredients.
• Dried Oregano, Basil, Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper: These seasonings enhance the overall flavor profile, adding aromatic notes and balancing the taste.
• Bay Leaf: This infuses the soup with a subtle, aromatic undertone, adding complexity to the broth.
• Parmesan Cheese (Optional): This adds a salty, umami finish when used as a garnish, enhancing the overall taste.

All these simple, good-for-you ingredients come together to make a super satisfying bowl of soup. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl – it’s feel good food!

How to Cook Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

Chop the onions, carrots, celery, and zucchini. I like to do this step the night before to save time when starting the recipe. Store your prepared vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Saute the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in a skillet until slightly soft, then add them to the slow cooker.

Add the rest of the vegetables, canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, vegetable broth, beans, and seasonings to the crock. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 5.5 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to develop.

Cook the pasta and some to serving bowls. Ladle soup over pasta and enjoy with this homemade rosemary bread. Garnish with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Ready for a meal that practically cooks itself? Grab your slow cooker and a few simple ingredients, and you’ll have a warm, inviting dinner waiting for you. It’s time to make your kitchen smell amazing!

Enjoy!