Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe (Instant Pot directions too!) (2024)

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This is by far the BEST Slow Cooker Minestrone soup – a classic, hearty Italian soup with tomatoes, white beans, vegetables and pasta.

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe (Instant Pot directions too!) (1)

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

This soup recipe is SO easy to make in the slow cooker or the Instant Pot (directions provided for both). If you don’t like buying extra appliances, no worries you can check out my stove top minestrone soup recipe. One thing I love about this soup, I puree the beans which thickens which is also great for picky eaters. Adding the rind from a wedge of parmesan or Romano cheese is my tip for adding extra flavor! I always stash them in my freezer just for soups, if you don’t have one toss some grated cheese into the soup while it’s cooking.

Helpful Cooking Tips

To keep the pasta al dente, I cook the pasta separate and add it to each bowl when I serve it, rather than throwing it in the soup which winds up soaking up all the broth. It’s totally your call, you can also just add the pasta to the soup at the end.

Freezer Directions

You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Let it cool then transfer to freezer-safe containers.

Minestrone Soup Variations:

  • Swap the spinach for Swiss chard or baby kale.
  • To keep this low-carb, omit the pasta, you honestly won’t miss it with everything else in this soup.
  • Add some mini turkey meatballs, or even some sauteed crumbled turkey sausage.

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe (Instant Pot directions too!) (2)

More Soup Recipes You Will Love

  • Turkey Chili Taco Soup
  • Chicken Enchilada Soup
  • Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Chicken Pot Pie Soup
  • Turkey Meatball Vegetable Soup

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe (Instant Pot directions too!) (3)

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe

4.94 from 101 votes

This is by far the BEST Italian minestrone soup in the slow cooker, a classic, hearty Italian soup with tomatoes, white beans, vegetables and pasta.

Course: Dinner, Soup

Cuisine: American

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe (Instant Pot directions too!) (4)

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 15 ounce can white beans, drained, rinsed (cannellini or navy)
  • 32 oz container reduced sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth for vegetarians
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes
  • Parmesan cheese rind, optional
  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt and fresh black pepper
  • 1 medium zucchini, 8 oz each, diced
  • 2 cups chopped fresh, or frozen defrosted spinach
  • 2 cups cooked small pasta such as ditalini, al dente (or GF pasta)
  • extra parmesan cheese for garnish, optional

Instructions

Slow Cooker Version:

  • Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic and saute until tender and fragrant, about 15 minutes.

  • Transfer to the crock pot along with the remaining broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, parmesan cheese rind, salt and pepper. Add the rosemary, bay leaves, basil and parsley, cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

  • Forty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add zucchini and spinach. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Remove bay leaves, rosemary sprig, parmesan rind and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle 1-1/4 cups soup into 8 bowls with 1/4 cup pasta in each and top with extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Stove Top Directions:

  • Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic and saute until tender and fragrant, about 15 minutes.

  • Add the remaining broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, parmesan cheese rind, salt and pepper. Add the rosemary, bay leaves, basil and parsley, cover and cook on low 40 minutes. Add the zucchini and spinach, cover and simmer until the zucchini is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.

  • Remove the bay leaves, rosemary sprig, parmesan rind and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle 1-1/4 cups soup into 8 bowls with 1/4 cup pasta in each and top with extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Instant Pot Directions:

  • Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender. Press saute in the Instant Pot and heat oil. Add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic and saute until tender and fragrant, about 10 minutes.

  • Add the remaining broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, parmesan cheese rind, salt and pepper. Add the rosemary, bay leaves, basil and parsley, cover and cook high pressure 20 minutes.

  • Quick release, add the pasta, zucchini and spinach and cook high pressure 4 minutes. Quick release so the pasta doesn't overcook.

  • Remove the bay leaves, rosemary sprig, parmesan rind and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle 1-1/2 cups soup into 8 bowls and top with extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 1/2 cups, Calories: 190 kcal, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 9 g, Fat: 3 g, Sodium: 483 mg, Fiber: 8 g, Sugar: 4 g

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Categories:

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Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe (Instant Pot directions too!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the thickening agent for minestrone? ›

The secret ingredients for the minestrone soup broth are bacon, parmesan and Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of tomato paste which thickens the broth nicely as well has driving home the tomato flavour.

What are all the ingredients in minestrone soup? ›

Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes. There is no set recipe for minestrone, since it is usually made out of whatever vegetables are in season. It can be vegetarian, contain meat, or contain a meat-based soup base (such as chicken stock).

How long does soup function take on instant pot? ›

Step 5: Set the cooking time
  1. Vegetable Soup: 4-6 minutes.
  2. Chicken Noodle Soup: 8-10 minutes.
  3. Beef Stew: 20-25 minutes.
  4. Tomato Soup: 6-8 minutes.
May 17, 2024

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What is the best ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

You can also use flour or cornflour to thicken a soup. Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer.

What is Olive Garden minestrone soup made of? ›

2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained 2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or 2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans, drained 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes 1/2 cup carrot (julienned or shredded) 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper ...

Why is minestrone soup so good? ›

Made with lots of vegetables, greens and various beans, this dish can provide you with super nutrients that slow aging and help you stay fit. Minestrone has always been a symbol of traditional Italian cuisine and the Mediterranean diet. Made with vegetables, greens and beans, it is a super-healthy mixture.

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

Dried herbs and seasonings: homemade seasoned salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and dried bay leaves lend flavor to the soup.

How full can you fill an Instant Pot with soup? ›

Maximum When pressure cooking, do not fill the inner pot higher than the PC MAX — 2/3 line as indicated on the inner pot. When cooking foods that expand (e.g., rice, beans, pasta) do not fill the inner pot higher than the — 1/2 line as indicated on the inner pot.

Why is my Instant Pot not pressurizing soup? ›

The Fix: If you are not getting pressure in your Instant Pot, check to make sure the pressure release valve is in the Sealing position (pointed towards the back of the Instant Pot, towards the word “sealing” on the lid) as opposed to in the Venting position (pointed towards the front of the Instant Pot, towards the ...

What does minestrone soup contain? ›

Vegetables, kidney beans and elbow pasta are simmered in a rich tomato broth and scented with rosemary and fresh herbs. This easy vegetarian minestrone soup recipe is the best for busy weeknights when you want something healthy, but also hearty. Minestrone soup is a healthy, hearty budget-friendly one-pot meal.

What's the difference between minestrone and vegetable soup? ›

Minestrone soup is unique because it typically includes beans, pasta, or rice, as well as vegetables, and the ingredients are always left chunky (it's never blended), making it a heartier option. Vegetable soups are usually simpler and don't typically include beans or pasta, and you could have a blended vegetable soup.

What is the difference between minestrone and Italian wedding soup? ›

It's similar to minestrone, but is made with meatballs; minestrone is usually made from vegetables and pasta. Italian wedding soup is a phenomenal freezer-friendly soup, and it doesn't take long to make – a perfect project for a chilly afternoon!

How to make minestrone thicker? ›

Add A Starch

Add 1/2 cup rice or pasta per 4 cups of liquid, providing just enough time for it to cook before serving (typically about 20 minutes for rice or 10-12 minutes for pasta). Adding rice or pasta too early can cause it to over-expand and thicken your soup into a stew.

What starch-based thickening agent is used when preparing the minestrone? ›

Here's another trick: let the soup simmer without a lid for an extra couple of minutes. The excess liquid will evaporate, making your soup thicker. Alternatively, mix a thickening agent like arrowroot powder with cold water and stir it into the soup when it's almost done cooking. Cornstarch will do the trick, too.

What ingredient is used as a thickening agent? ›

Cornstarch. Cornstarch is the most common thickening agent used in the industry. It is mixed with water or juice and boiled to make fillings and to give a glossy semi-clear finish to products. Commercial cornstarch is made by soaking maize in water containing sulphur dioxide.

What are the two main thickening agents in soup? ›

cooking sauce or soup. Arrowroot starch thickens very quickly and it is unnecessary to bring the mixture to a boil for it to work. Cornstarch, on the other hand, requires heating the mix- ture to a boil to fully thicken the mixture and to avoid any “starchy” taste or texture in the fin- ished product.

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