Homemade Minestrone Soup + SLOW COOKER Plus STOVETOP + VIDEO
"An easy slow cooker homemade minestrone soup so you can totally skip that stop to Olive Garden! Loaded with healthy vegetables like spinach and zucchini and protein packed with beans - so hearty and comforting! Easy to make gluten free...."
INGREDIENTS
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2 medium carrots (about 1 cup), chopped
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2 celery stalks (about 1 cup), chopped
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 medium onion (about 1 cup), diced
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2 teaspoons dried basil
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
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3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
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1 32 oz can diced tomatoes (I usually use fire-roasted or Italian-style)
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3 tablespoons tomato paste
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2 bay leaves
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32 ounce carton (4 cups) low sodium vegetable broth
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1-2 cups water (only use as much as needed)
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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2 medium zucchinis (around 1 1/2 cups), sliced into halves or quarters
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1/2 cup canned or cooked red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
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1/2 cup canned or cooked cannellini beans (or great northern beans), drained and rinsed
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1 cup small shell dried pasta**(use gluten free if necessary or leave out and add chopped potatoes or cauliflower instead)**(see note about freezing)
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1-2 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped (optional)
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1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (optional but adds great flavor)
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Shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
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Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish (optional)
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