Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

This healthy, mouthwatering Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup is chocked full of delicious vegetables, beans, and pasta. The perfect meal for a cold day and hearty enough to feed a host of family and friends.

A few years ago I signed up to bring a vegetarian soup to my kids’ school for parent-teacher conferences. The request of parents was to bring a soup in a crockpot so that it would stay warm as teachers drifted in and out of the teacher’s lounge on their breaks.

I spent a day or two debating what I wanted to make and finally landed on minestrone. Normally I make soups with meat or at least cheese in them to add heartiness.

Recipes like my Instant Pot Sausage Potato Spinach Soup or Instant Pot Lasagna Soup are my go-to’s for that reason.

So, I decided to make minestrone with beans for a vegetarian favorite that’s also hearty enough for dinner. YUM!

If you want more satisfying soup recipes, try my Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, or Nutritious Turkey Rice Soup.

Ingredients Needed For Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious crockpot minestrone soup.

• Butter
• White Onions – chopped
• Garlic – minced
• Celery – diced
• Carrots – peeled and chopped
• Bay Leaves
• Dry Thyme
• Dry Sage
• Salt & Pepper – to taste
• Chicken Broth – vegetable broth will work too
• Diced Tomatoes – adds a little acidity to the dish
• White Beans – drained
• Zucchini – diced, skin left on
• Baby Spinach – fresh
• Ditalini Pasta – penne, rotini or macaroni are good substitutes
• Parmesan Cheese – for garnish

How To Make Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

The beauty of slow cooking soup is that your crockpot does all the hard work! Follow these steps to make crockpot minestrone soup.

Step 1

In a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, celery, carrots, thyme, sage, and salt & pepper in the butter until the vegetables are soft.

Step 2

Place the veggies in the slow cooker.

Step 3

Next, stir in the broth, diced tomatoes, and beans and cook on low for 5 – 6 hours.

Step 4

During the last 30 minutes of cooking, you will stir in the zucchini, spinach, and pasta. Cook until the pasta is tender.

Step 5

Serve and garnish with parmesan cheese.

Step 6

ENJOY!!!

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe Notes And Tips

• If gluten-free is a must in your household, add a gluten-free pasta to your soup.

• Zucchini might not be one of your favorite veggies, so substitute it with green beans, lima beans, small broccoli florets, and/or peas.

• This recipe is completely vegan as long as the pasta you choose does not contain eggs.

• Remove the bay leaves before serving – if you think you may serve them accidentally. They add great flavor but people can’t digest them.

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Variations of Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup To Try

• Like your soup a little bit on the spicy side? Just add about 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper with the other seasonings. YUM!

• If you like a little meat in your soup, add in some cooked ground beef, diced and cooked chicken, crumbled and cooked italian sausage or a little cooked chorizo.

• Serve this soup in a yummy bread bowl for a special treat.

• Cheddar, Fontina, Gruyere and Swiss are a few more great choices of cheese to garnish your soup.

• Add a dollop of sour cream to top off your bowl of soup, because who doesn’t love sour cream, right!?!? 😉

FAQs

Here are some common questions about our Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup recipe. If you don’t see your question below, please leave it in the comments so I can answer it!

Can I leave my minestrone soup in the slow cooker too long?

One of the most useful purposes of a slow cooker is that it is designed to cook for long periods of time. However, it can still overcook your dish if left on the wrong setting too long.

Whenever possible, it is wise to follow the cooking time indicated in the recipe you are using.

Can I freeze this Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup?

This soup is a fantastic soup to put in the freezer. It will freeze very well in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Cool completely before placing in the freezer.

Once you remove it from the freezer, thaw in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warm.

How long will my soup keep in the refrigerator?

This soup will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days if kept in an air-tight container or resealable plastic bag.

Can I make my Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup ahead of time?

This is a perfect dish to make ahead of time. It can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and reheated on the stove or in the slow cooker when ready to serve.

You may need to add some additional broth because the pasta will soak up the liquid as it sits.

More Delicious Recipes To Warm You Up On A Cold Day

If you love this slow cooker minestrone soup recipe, check out these other family favorites too!

• Instant Pot Potato And Leek Soup
• Turkey Sweet Potato Chili with Apples
• Deliciously Decadent Maine Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
• Crock Pot Hamburger Helper

Want to turn your Instant Pot recipe into a slow cooker recipe or vice versa? Or turn your oven recipe into an air fryer recipe? Convert your recipes between cooking methods effortlessly! Download now 👇👇