Slow Cooker Mediterranean Minestrone Casserole Recipes

SLOW-COOKER VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Add the beans, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, celery, sweet potato, onion, crushed red pepper flakes, Parmesan rind, if using, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and 4 cups water. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
• Stir in the kale, cover and let simmer until just wilted, about 10 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve with toasted baguette, if desired.
• If using pasta, spoon 1/2 cup cooked pasta into each bowl and ladle the soup on top. Store the pasta and soup in separate containers.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE FOR THE SLOW COOKER

Steps:

• Combine broth, carrots, celery, cabbage, onion, diced fennel, zucchini, summer squash, kidney beans, tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper and garlic in a 6 quart slow cooker.
• Cook minestrone on low-heat setting until vegetables are tender, about 6 hours.
• Turn slow cooker to high-heat setting, and add the macaroni. Cover and cook until macaroni is tender, 15-20 minute.
• To serve, stir parsley into soup; garnish each serving with Parmesan and basil.

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 MEDITERRANEAN MINESTRONE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except green beans, macaroni and cheese in 3- to 4-quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
• Stir in green beans and macaroni. Increase heat setting to High. Cover and cook about 20 minutes or until beans and macaroni are tender. Sprinkle with cheese.