Slow Cooker Minestrone

This recipe is dedicated to Nicole Bywater. Nicole: I'm very sorry I spaced sending you this. I miss you. Come to Texas, please.

This recipe came from HERE, but I add a lot more veggies substitute beans for the pasta. I'm giving you my version. If you want the website's, click the pic or the link above.

• 4 C chicken broth
• 4 C tomato juice (I use tomato sauce or paste; whichever I have on hand. Tomato sauce is 1 part sauce to 2 parts water, paste is 1:4)
• 1 Tbsp dried basil leaves (If you want to go fresh, dried herbs are usually 3x more potent; this would be 3 Tbsp fresh basil)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 3-4 carrots, sliced
• 3-4 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 C mushrooms, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 15 oz diced tomatoes (1 can, I sometimes use a couple fresh tomatoes ... again, depends what I have on hand)
• 15 oz kidney beans (1 can)
• (optional - 1 lb browned sausage)
• 1/4 C Parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker except cheese. 

Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours.

Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese. Makes about six servings. 

Nutrition facts do NOT include sausage.  

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 540 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 349 Calories from Fat 29

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 3.2g 5%

Saturated Fat 1.1g 6%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 4mg 1%

Sodium 1437mg 60%

Total Carbohydrates 59.6g 20%

Dietary Fiber 13.8g 55%

Sugars 12.2g

Protein 23.6g

Vitamin A 130% • Vitamin C 77% Calcium 16% • Iron 35%

Nutrition Grade A

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Low in saturated fat
• Very low in cholesterol
• High in dietary fiber
• High in manganese
• High in phosphorus
• High in potassium
• High in thiamin
• Very high in vitamin A
• Very high in vitamin C

Bad points

• High in sodium

I really like this recipe for a few reasons: 

1. It's in the crock pot. Practically any crock pot recipe is a great recipe because labor is minimal, quality is high ... you get the picture.
2. It's super healthy -- just check the nutrition facts above.
3. Bake a fresh loaf of wheat bread and you have yourself a cozy, delicious meal that's great for company or just your family. 

Enjoy!