Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

minestrone--the real deal

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Ellen Gwaltney Bales
Indianapolis, IN

This recipe came from an old crockpot cookbook and it sounds so close to the minestrone served at one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Indianapolis. Theirs is the best I've ever had, and I'm hoping this recipe comes close. Photo: foodsta.com

(2 ratings)
yield 6 -8
prep time 25 Min
cook time 10 Hr

Ingredients For minestrone--the real deal

  • 3 c
    water
  • 2 can
    (10.5 oz. ea.) chicken broth
  • 1 md
    onion, chopped
  • 3
    carrots, diced
  • 1 md
    zucchini, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1 1/2 c
    chopped cabbage
  • 1 can
    (15 oz.) garbanzo beans, undrained
  • 3 can
    (14.5 oz. ea.) whole tomatoes, undrained, cut up
  • 5 slice
    bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1/2 tsp
    pepper
  • 3/4 c
    small elbow macaroni or other pasta, uncooked

How To Make minestrone--the real deal

  • 1
    In a stoneware crock pot, combine all ingredients except macaroni; stir to blend. Place cooking pot into heating base, cover and cook for 8 to 10 hours on LOW setting, or until vegetables are tender.
  • 2
    Thirty minutes before soup is done, turn heat to HI setting and add macaroni. Stir to blend. Cover and cook for 30 minutes. Keep warm for serving if desired.
  • 3
    Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with a bit of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
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