Minestrone Soup

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: Low 8 hours

Yield: 6 servings

3 tablespoons olive oil          

1 medium onion, chopped                                   

1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning     

2 cans (14.5 ounces) Italian flavored tomatoes      

1 cup finely diced carrots           

1 cup finely diced celery 

1 cup finely diced zucchini         

1 can cut green beans

1 cup peeled and finely diced potatoes

1 tablespoon salt

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

8 cups water

1 can (19 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed under cold water

1 1/2 cups uncooked ditalini (small, tube-shaped pasta)

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese            

1Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with vegetable oil cooking spray.

2Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and zucchini and cook for 5 minutes.

3 Place the cooked vegetable mixture in the slow cooker. Add the string beans, cabbage, potatoes, salt, pepper, and water. Stir to combine.

4 Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Add the kidney beans and pasta 20 minutes before serving. Cook until the pasta is tender.

5 Stir in the cheese and serve immediately.

Per serving: Calories 297 (From Fat 27); Fat 10g (Saturated 2g); Cholesterol 4mg; Sodium 1770mg; Carbohydrate 42g (Dietary Fiber 9g); Protein 12g.

*I add cooked pork chunk and kielbasa sausage to this and it came out great. Next time I make it I plan on adding some canned minced clams to it instead.