Minestrone Soup

Thanks for all your crock pot recipes. Here is one of my favorites. It's stock full of veggies and makes me feel healthy when I'm eating it.


Minestrone Soup

1 lb. Italian sausage, browned
1 large onion, chopped
4 carrots, sliced
3 ribs celery, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
6-oz. can tomato paste
8-oz. can tomato sauce
14 ½-oz. can chicken, beef or veg. broth
24 oz. can pinto beans, undrained
10 oz. pkg. frozen green beans (or 1 can, drained)
2-3 cups chopped cabbage
1 medium zucchini sliced
8 cups water
2 Tbsp. parsley
2 Tbsp. Italian spice
1 tsp. salt or more
½ tsp. pepper
¾ cup dry acini di pepe (small round pasta)- I omit
Grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese

1. Saute onion, carrots, celery and garlic in oil until tender.
2. Combine all ingredients except pasta and cheese in slow cooker.
3. Cover. Cook 4-5 hours on high or 8-9 hours on low, adding pasta 1 hour before cooking is completed.
Top individual servings with cheese.

MAKES 8-10 servings