Crockpot Minestrone Soup is your perfect companion for chilly days, offering warmth and comfort in every bowl. Packed with vegetables, beans, and Italian sausage, this hearty soup is not just a meal; it’s a wholesome experience. You’ll find that every ingredient in this recipe works together to create a delicious medley of flavors, making it an ideal choice for families and gatherings alike.
Why We Love This Crockpot Minestrone Soup Recipe
This Crockpot Minestrone Soup recipe stands out for numerous reasons. First, it’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to include your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand. Moreover, it’s an easy set-and-forget dish that can simmer throughout the day, filling your home with mouth-watering aromas. The use of a slow cooker means that flavors meld beautifully, creating a depth that’s hard to achieve with quicker cooking methods. It’s not just soup; it’s a nourishing delight that warms your soul.
Ingredients about Crockpot Minestrone Soup
To whip up this delightful minestrone soup, you’ll need the following ingredients:
List of ingredients with measurements
- 1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 3 large carrots, diced (about 1½ cups)
- 5 stalks celery, chopped (about 1½ cups)
- ½ medium yellow onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (approximately 2½ tsp)
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomato pesto (optional)
- 8 small/medium red potatoes or 3–4 small Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 1½ cups)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken/beef broth for extra richness)
- 2 cups water
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 2½ cups frozen baby spinach
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup frozen green beans
- 1½ cups cooked pasta or tortellini (optional; can keep separate)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
How to Make Crockpot Minestrone Soup Directions
Creating your Crockpot Minestrone Soup is quite simple and requires minimal active cooking time, making this recipe perfect for busy individuals or families.
- Layer Your Ingredients: Begin with your slow cooker—layer in the cooked Italian sausage first. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, and if you’re using it, the sun-dried tomato pesto for an extra punch of flavor. Follow this with the diced carrots, cubed potatoes, chopped celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Finally, sprinkle your salt and pepper to taste over these base ingredients.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the vegetable broth and water, ensuring that everything is well submerged. This will create the perfect base for your soup.
- Set Your Crockpot: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. You’ll know your soup is ready when the vegetables are tender and the flavors have amalgamated into a delicious symphony.
- Incorporate Beans and Vegetables: About 20 minutes before you plan to serve, add the kidney beans, great northern beans, diced zucchini, frozen green beans, and frozen spinach. Stir gently to combine, and then re-cover. Allow everything to cook together until the spinach has wilted and all the vegetables are tender.
- Add Pasta: If you wish to include pasta or tortellini, add it just before serving. This keeps the pasta from becoming overly soft and mushy.
- Final Touches: Carefully remove and discard the bay leaves from the soup. Taste your minestrone and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
With a loaf of crusty bread or a side salad, your meal is complete and ready to be enjoyed!
How to Serve Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Serving up your Crockpot Minestrone Soup can elevate the experience. Here are a few ways to ensure you present your soup beautifully and deliciously:
- Bowls and Garnishes: Use deep, wide bowls that allow for easy ladling. Top each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, which melts gently into the warm soup, enhancing the flavor.
- Accompaniments: Serve with sides like crusty bread or breadsticks. This not only adds texture but also allows you to soak up every last drop of the flavorful broth.
- Add Extra Toppings: Consider offering a selection of toppings such as extra herbs, crushed red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil. These allow your guests to customize their soup according to their preferences.
- Pair with a Salad: A light, refreshing side salad with vinaigrette can complement the hearty nature of the soup. Try a simple arugula or mixed greens salad to balance the meal.
- Make it a Meal: If you want to make this a more filling meal, serving a light dessert afterward can round out the experience nicely.
Expert Tips: Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Creating an amazing Crockpot Minestrone Soup is possible with a few expert tips that can enhance both flavor and texture:
- Quality Ingredients: Use fresh vegetables and high-quality broth. This will significantly affect the overall flavor of your soup.
- Layering Flavors: Cook the Italian sausage until golden before adding it to the Crockpot. This adds a deeper flavor to your soup.
- Cook Time Flexibility: If you are short on time, the high setting works perfectly, but if you can, let it slow cook on low for better flavor development.
- Don’t Overcook Vegetables: Keep an eye on the timing, especially for the zucchini and spinach added later in the cooking process; you want these to remain vibrant and tender but not mushy.
- Customize to Your Taste: Feel free to swap out beans and vegetables based on what you love or have on hand. This recipe is very forgiving and adaptable.
- Leftover Magic: This soup can taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
How to Store Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Storing your Crockpot Minestrone Soup is easy and can help you enjoy those lovely flavors over several days. Here’s how:
- Cooling: Let the soup cool to room temperature before storing it—this helps prevent condensation inside the storage container.
- Containers: Use airtight containers for storing your soup. Glass containers are a great option since they don’t absorb odors.
- Refrigeration: The soup can be kept in the fridge for up to 3-4 days without losing its deliciousness.
- Freezing: For longer storage, ladle the soup into freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave until hot.
- Watch for Texture Changes: Keep in mind that pasta in the soup may absorb broth during storage, so you might want to keep it separate until you serve the soup again.
Variation of Crockpot Minestrone Soup
One of the beautiful aspects of this recipe is how easily it allows for variations. Here are some ideas you might want to consider:
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the Italian sausage and double up on beans for protein. You can also add more veggies like bell peppers and corn.
- Different Beans: Experiment with black beans, chickpeas, or pinto beans. Each type will give your soup a different twist.
- Grains Swap: Instead of pasta, consider adding quinoa, barley, or farro to enhance the nutritional value.
- Additional Vegetables: Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers, butternut squash, or kale depending on your preference.
- Spicy Kick: If you’re a fan of heat, add some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to spice things up.
- Herb Variations: Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can be added just before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.
FAQ
What is minestrone soup made of?
Minestrone soup is made with a variety of vegetables, beans, and often pasta. Common ingredients include carrots, celery, tomatoes, and Italian sausage, which provide a rich and hearty dish.
How long does it take to cook minestrone soup in a Crockpot?
You can cook minestrone soup in a Crockpot for 6–8 hours on low or 3–4 hours on high, ensuring that the vegetables become tender and flavors blend beautifully.
Can I make minestrone soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can easily make a vegetarian version of minestrone soup by omitting the Italian sausage and increasing the variety of beans and vegetables.
Should I add pasta to minestrone soup in the Crockpot?
You can add pasta to the minestrone soup, but it’s best to keep it separate until serving. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy during the long cook time.
Can I freeze minestrone soup?
Yes, minestrone soup can be frozen for up to three months. Store it in airtight containers or bags after cooling. Just remember, if you add pasta, it might absorb some liquid during freezing.
By following these guidelines and tips, you can master the art of making Crockpot Minestrone Soup that not only satisfies your cravings but also warms your heart and home. Enjoy the delightful journey of cooking and sharing this classic dish with your loved ones!
Crockpot Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
Meat Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables
- 3 large carrots, diced (about 1½ cups)
- 5 stalks celery, chopped (about 1½ cups)
- ½ medium yellow onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (approximately 2½ tsp)
- 8 small/medium red potatoes or 3–4 small Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 1½ cups)
- 1 zucchini diced
- 2½ cups frozen baby spinach
- 1 cup frozen green beans
Liquids
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken/beef broth for extra richness)
- 2 cups water
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomato pesto (optional)
Beans
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper
Pasta (Optional)
- 1½ cups cooked pasta or tortellini (optional; can keep separate)
Garnish
- to taste Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Layer in the cooked Italian sausage first in your slow cooker.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and optional sun-dried tomato pesto.
- Follow with the diced carrots, cubed potatoes, chopped celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Adding Liquids
- Pour in the vegetable broth and water, ensuring that everything is well submerged.
Cooking
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the vegetables are tender.
Incorporate Additional Ingredients
- Add the kidney beans, great northern beans, diced zucchini, frozen green beans, and frozen spinach about 20 minutes before serving.
- Stir gently to combine and re-cover until the spinach has wilted and all vegetables are tender.
Final Touches
- Remove and discard the bay leaves.
- Taste the minestrone and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Serving
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!