If you’re craving a cozy, colorful meal that brings the charm of Italian kitchens right into your home, Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} is exactly what you need. Packed with vibrant vegetables, hearty beans, and a swirl of pasta, this soup is comfort in a bowl—hearty enough for dinner, yet wholesome enough to feel oh-so-good about seconds. The best part? Everything comes together with minimal fuss in your slow cooker, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas and freeing up your time for family, friends, or maybe just a few blissful minutes on the couch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With this soup, every ingredient is chosen for maximum flavor, hearty texture, and eye-catching color. These simple kitchen staples blend together into something far greater than the sum of their parts—each one adding its own signature note to the finished dish.
- Olive oil: Start the flavor party with a little olive oil for sautéing—this creates a rich base that makes the whole soup sing.
- Yellow onion: Diced onion brings natural sweetness and depth as it softens and melts into the broth.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses every spoonful with a comforting, savory aroma.
- Carrots: Sliced carrots add gentle sweetness, color, and a pleasant tender bite.
- Celery: Essential for classic soup flavor, celery also adds a satisfying crunch to the mix.
- Zucchini: This veggie soaks up flavors and adds subtle body without overpowering the soup.
- Canned diced tomatoes: Tomatoes (with their juices!) add brightness, acidity, and a gorgeous color to the broth.
- Canned kidney beans: These beans are creamy, hearty, and offer a protein punch—don’t skip rinsing for the cleanest flavor.
- Canned cannellini beans: Soft and buttery, cannellini beans make the soup lusciously filling.
- Green beans: Fresh or frozen, green beans add a burst of color and crisp-tender texture.
- Small pasta: A handful of ditalini or elbow pasta turns the soup into a one-bowl meal, soaking up all that herby broth.
- Vegetable broth: The base that ties it all together—choose a good-quality broth for best results.
- Dried oregano: This herb brings classic Italian flavor and a subtle earthy undertone.
- Dried basil: Sweetness and aroma from basil brighten up every bite.
- Salt: Just a little bit draws out all the natural flavors of your veggies and beans.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground gives the finished soup a gentle kick.
- Baby spinach or chopped kale: Stirred in at the end for a fresh, leafy boost and a vibrant green finish.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional): Sprinkle on top, and your bowl is instantly restaurant-worthy—salty, creamy, and irresistible.
How to Make Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker}
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Get things going by heating up the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and let them sizzle gently for three to four minutes. Your kitchen will start to smell wonderful, and the veggies will soften slightly while developing sweet, rich undertones that set the base for your Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker}.
Step 2: Pile Everything Into the Slow Cooker
Use a spatula to transfer the sautéed vegetables directly into your slow cooker. Add in the zucchini, diced tomatoes (with all those glorious juices!), both kinds of beans, green beans, and your dry pasta. Pour in the vegetable broth next, followed by the oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. A quick stir is all it takes to marry all those lovely flavors together.
Step 3: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Set the slow cooker to Low for 6 to 7 hours or to High for 3 to 4 hours, then walk away! The soup simmers gently, drawing out flavors and thickening into something truly soul-satisfying. Your home will fill with a mouthwatering aroma while everything tenderizes in that flavorful broth.
Step 4: Add Spinach or Kale at the Finish Line
About 15 to 20 minutes before you’re ready to eat, stir in the baby spinach or chopped kale. The greens cook quickly—just long enough to wilt and bring a final pop of freshness and color to your Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker}.
Step 5: Taste and Serve
Give the soup a taste to see if you’d like a little more salt or pepper. Then, ladle your warm, vibrant minestrone into bowls and be generous with the Parmesan if you’re using it. Now the only thing left is to dig in!
How to Serve Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker}
Garnishes
A steaming bowl of minestrone shines with a shower of grated Parmesan or even a swirl of pesto for extra richness. Fresh basil leaves, cracked black pepper, or a drizzle of flavorful olive oil can also elevate your Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} to new heights. Don’t forget a wedge of lemon if you love a citrus pop!
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with crusty Italian bread or a crisp green salad. You could add roasted garlic breadsticks, focaccia, or a side plate of marinated olives for a true trattoria experience. These accompaniments soak up every last sip and turn the meal into something extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} in mini bread bowls or espresso cups as a starter for a dinner party. Try adding a handful of microgreens or edible flowers for a pop of color, or let guests customize their bowls with a little “garnish bar” of toppings—think toasted pine nuts, shredded cheese, and fresh herbs.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers might be the best part! Cool your soup to room temperature, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors will deepen and mingle, making tomorrow’s lunch or dinner taste even better.
Freezing
Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} is a champion freezer meal. For best texture, freeze without the pasta (it can become mushy). Ladle cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. It’ll be ready for you anytime you need a healthy, home-cooked meal—just thaw and add fresh-cooked pasta before serving.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until hot. If the soup has thickened, add a bit more broth or water to loosen it back up. Microwave reheating also works—just heat in one-minute increments, stirring in between, until steamy and bubbling.
FAQs
Can I use different vegetables in Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker}?
Absolutely! This soup is super flexible. Try swapping in potatoes, peas, bell peppers, or whatever you have on hand. The more color and variety, the better—the slow cooker will help blend the flavors beautifully.
My soup is too thick after storing. How can I fix it?
This is common because the pasta and beans absorb liquid as the soup sits. Just stir in more vegetable broth or a splash of water while reheating until you reach your desired consistency.
Can I make Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} gluten-free?
Definitely! Use your favorite gluten-free pasta or skip it altogether and add extra beans for heartiness. Just ensure your broth and any garnishes are certified gluten-free as well.
Is there a way to add even more flavor?
For a richer taste, add a piece of Parmesan rind to the slow cooker along with everything else—just remember to fish it out before serving. A splash of balsamic vinegar right before serving also adds a lovely brightness.
Can I prepare Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble all your chopped veggies and canned goods the night before and store in the fridge. In the morning, just dump everything into your slow cooker, add broth and seasonings, and start cooking—easy and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} is the definition of comfort and convenience. Pick your favorite veggies, set it, and let the slow cooker do its magic—soon you’ll have a vibrant, nourishing bowl ready to share. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become one of your go-to recipes for busy days and cozy nights alike!
Print
Homemade Minestrone Soup {Slow Cooker} Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and hearty Homemade Minestrone Soup made in a slow cooker. This classic Italian soup is packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, simmered in flavorful broth until all the flavors meld together. Perfect for an easy and nutritious meal.
Ingredients
Vegetable Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
Soup Ingredients:
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup green beans, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup small pasta, like ditalini or elbow
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups baby spinach or chopped kale
Serving:
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until slightly softened.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place sautéed vegetables in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add zucchini, diced tomatoes, beans, green beans, pasta, broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or on High for 3–4 hours.
- Add Greens: In the last 15–20 minutes, stir in spinach or kale and adjust seasoning.
- Serve: Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta or omit the pasta.
- Add a Parmesan rind for extra flavor.
- This soup freezes well without the pasta.
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