Slow Cooker Bean And Sausage Minestrone Recipes

SLOW-COOKER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Combine the first 13 ingredients in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in beans, zucchini and pasta. Cook, covered, on high about 30 minutes longer, until pasta is tender. Discard bay leaves. If desired, top with grated Parmesan cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add water if necessary.

SLOW-COOKER BEAN AND SAUSAGE MINESTRONE

Steps:

• If bean soup mix comes with seasoning mix, discard it. Heat beans and 8 cups water to boiling in 4-quart saucepan; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes; remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour.
• Cook sausage and onion in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain if necessary.
• Drain beans and discard water. Mix beans, sausage mixture, carrots, broth and 2 cups water in 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours.
• Stir in tomatoes and pasta. Increase heat setting to High. Cover and cook about 30 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle individual servings with cheese and parsley.

MINESTRONE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the carrots, celery and leek; cook for 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, green beans and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. , Stir in the broth, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. , Return to a boil. Stir in the garbanzo beans, pasta and parsley. Cook for 6-9 minutes or until pasta is tender. Serve with cheese.

SLOW COOKER RED BEANS & SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Rinse and sort beans; soak according to package directions., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown sausage. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add onion, green pepper and celery to skillet; cook and stir 5-6 minutes or until crisp-tender., In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, combine beans, sausage, vegetables and seasonings. Stir in broth. Cook, covered, on low 8-10 hours or until beans are tender., Remove 2 cups of the bean mixture to a bowl. Mash gently with a potato masher. Return to slow cooker; heat through. Serve with rice.