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A steaming bowl of Crockpot Minestrone Soup with fresh herbs

Hearty Crockpot Minestrone Soup

Warm up with this comforting and easy-to-make minestrone soup, packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, perfect for a slow cooker meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 6-quart slow cooker

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 medium, chopped Onion
  • 2 medium, chopped Carrots
  • 2 stalks, chopped Celery
  • 4 cloves, minced Garlic
  • 1 28-oz can Diced Tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 6 cups Vegetable Broth
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 0.5 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 medium, chopped Zucchini
  • 1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed Canned Cannellini Beans (or Kidney Beans)
  • 0.5 cup Small Pasta (Ditalini, Elbow Macaroni, or Small Shells)
  • 4 cups Fresh Spinach or Kale
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper

Optional Garnishes

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Good olive oil for drizzling

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Sauté chopped onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil for 5-7 minutes until softened to build a deep flavor foundation.
  • Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant; stir in tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it darkens to caramelize and intensify flavor.

Slow Cooking

  • Transfer the sautéed mixture to your slow cooker, then add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried oregano, and dried thyme, stirring to combine.
  • Stir in the chopped zucchini and drained cannellini beans.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.

Finishing Touches

  • About 30-45 minutes before serving, stir in the small pasta and continue cooking until al dente.
  • Stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes; remove the bay leaf.
  • Season generously with salt and black pepper; ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley, Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Notes

This soup is even better the next day as the flavors meld. Feel free to use any small pasta shape you have on hand. For a richer flavor, you can use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth, adjusting for dietary preferences.