Summer nights are coming to an end. Get ready for cooler temperatures with this hearty slow cooker minestrone soup.
While I like to use my slow cooker year round, now is the time of year when slow cookers typically are used most. Not only has school started for those of you who are students or have kids but the temperatures are starting to decline. As such, the demand for easy weeknight dinners has increased and warm soups/strews are becoming more appealing. I may no longer be a student and do not have kids, but I can still appreciate a comforting soup on a cool night (whenever those decide to get here in TN).
Red Gold was nice enough to send me some of their tomatoes to play around with in my slow cooker. I figured since we are on the verge of summer and fall why not make a soup that takes advantage of the remaining summer produce? This minestrone is almost like the kitchen sink of soups, made with cannellini beans, onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, spinach, rosemary, pesto, and a can of Red Gold’s petite diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil. Just wait until those aromas smack you in the face upon arriving home after it cooked all day, you’ll want to dive right in there.
I also happen to have a Red Gold Apron to giveaway to one reader. To enter use the Rafflecopter at the end of this post and answer the prompt in the comments section. But wait, there’s more!
Red Gold is hosting a “Red Gold 2-a-day Crock-Pot Give-a-way” running from today September 17 through October 8 on their Facebook page. As the promotion title suggests, they will be giving away two Red Gold branded Crock-Pots every day during for three weeks. Click over to their Facebook page to enter: https://www.facebook.com/RedGold.
One year ago: Pumpkin Spice Pizzas
Two years ago: Loaded Baked Potato Dip
SLOW COOKER MINESTRONE SOUP
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz.) can Red Gold petite diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil
16 oz. (1-1/2 cups) reduced sodium vegetable broth
2 cups water
1/2 small sweet onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Parmesan cheese rind, plus grated for garnish
1 bay leaf
1 small sprig fresh rosemary
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
1/2 medium zucchini, diced
3 oz. (1/2 bag) fresh spinach
4 oz. (1/2 cup) uncooked ditalini pasta
1/4 cup basil pesto
2 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
Directions:
- Lightly coat crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Add beans, tomatoes, broth, water, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, cheese rind, bay leaf, rosemary, and salt and pepper. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- About 15 minutes before serving, add zucchini, spinach, and pasta. Cook on low for another 15 minutes. Remove the cheese rind, bay leaf, and rosemary stem and then stir in the pesto and parsley. Serve immediately with additional cheese on top.
Source: Adapted from How Sweet It Is and Gina’s Skinny Taste.
Disclosure: Red Gold provided me with a 6-pack of Red Gold product and wooden spoon. They also provided me with an apron to giveaway. I was not otherwise compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
20 comments
[…] made a more traditional minestrone in a slow cooker before, but I loved the idea of incorporating a bunch of fresh green springtime herbs and […]
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Chicken and rice; and so great for a cold winter day too
Chili is always tasty to make in a slow cooker!
chicken tortilla soup
http://www.honeybearlane.com/2013/04/crockpot-chicken-tortilla-soup.html#_a5y_p=2130528 is my fave
My favorite slow cooker recipe is pot roast. I don’t have a recipe and just toss things in the pot when it’s time to cook.
We are all about the pulled pork from the slow cooker here, but I’m so excited to make this soup!
I love to make chili in my slow cooker
Yum, I am making this soup this week-end. My favorite slow cooked meal is beef stew.
A big bowl of this slow cooker minestrone sounds heavenly! Even more so because it is slow cooker-ed.
Slow cooker-ed, I enjoy it. I’m going to start using that.
oh! it looks scrumptious! i love minestrone soup!
I just started to use a slower cooker. My first recipe yesterday was for a ratatouille and it smelled and tasted delicious! Can’t wait to try more recipes!
I like making pulled pork with onions and apples for extra flavor.
We do a ton of BBQ chicken in the slow cooker!
Gosh this soup looks amazing! I could go for a comforting bowl right now.
Hehe – Erin, you might want to check the directions for adding the beans!
Oh gosh thank you for catching that! That’s the second time I’ve done it in a week. I need to proof-read more often haha.
Too many recipes to name, but generally soups!