Crock Pot Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

mersaydees's Note:

This is a great recipe based on one from the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook.

• Total Time: 6 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 6 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 3 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small zucchini, cubed
• 1 handful fresh kale, chopped
• 1/2 cup barley (dry)
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chickpeas or 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can white kidney beans, drained
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed Italian tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• grated cheese (garnish)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except cheese in slow cooker.
2. Cover.
3. Cook on Low 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender.
4. Serve topped with grated cheese.

Reviews

[Foodie McFotoman]

Wonderful recipe! Makes for a hearty, flavorful, rich and healthy soup. Filled even our largest crock pot TO THE RIM. :)

Made a few modifications, mostly additions: 1/2 cup frozen cut green beans, diced 1/2 red pepper, only used 1 onion (should have diced it), and used a mix of beans - 1 cup red kidney, 1/2 cup garbonzo, 2 cups white beans, 1 can of diced red tomatoes.

Also added a generous splash of soy sauce at the end and blended to give it a creamier/thicker consistency. Spiced to taste.

Will be freezing a bunch of this to eat for weeks!

[etully]

This is a good soup that lends itself to variations. I used brown rice in place of the barley and added more broth.

[magpie diner]

This makes a massive crock pot full of soup! Very rich with a sort of thick tomato broth, which seemed to please the children. Hearty, tasty and ridiculously easy. Very enjoyable and I look forward to the leftovers tomorrow. (At least enough for 2 meals for our family of 4). I added everything in the order listed, exactly as written (touch more garlic). I'd suggest doing the broth last because I'm not joking about it 'just' fitting my crock pot... :) Thanks Mersay, great recipe! (Veg Swap Jan10)