Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone
Craving Olive Garden? Make it at Home with This Slow Cooker Minestrone!
Dreaming of a cozy Italian night in? Skip the restaurant wait and bring the flavors of Olive Garden’s famous Minestrone soup right to your kitchen! This Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone is incredibly easy to make, packed with fresh vegetables, and perfect for a comforting dinner or a light lunch. The best part? It practically makes itself! Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it simmer to perfection.
This recipe captures the heart of the classic Minestrone – a hearty, vegetable-rich soup that’s both healthy and satisfying. It’s a fantastic way to sneak in extra veggies, and it’s naturally vegetarian (and easily vegan with a simple substitution!). The slow cooker method allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a depth of taste that rivals your favorite restaurant.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Effortless: Minimal prep time and hands-off cooking make this a weeknight winner.
- Flavorful: A blend of herbs and fresh vegetables creates a truly authentic taste.
- Healthy & Hearty: Packed with nutrients and satisfying enough to be a complete meal.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable ingredients you likely already have on hand.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
Tips for the Best Minestrone:
- Vegetable Variety: Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables! Spinach, kale, or green beans would all be delicious additions.
- Pasta Perfection: Use small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow macaroni. Add the pasta during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Herb Power: Don’t skimp on the herbs! They are key to the authentic Minestrone flavor.
- Parmesan Finish: A generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a delightful salty and savory touch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I make this soup vegan?
A: Absolutely! Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan Parmesan alternative.
Q: Can I use different beans?
A: Yes, you can! Great Northern beans or kidney beans would also work well.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: Yes, but the pasta may become a bit soft after freezing. It’s best to freeze the soup before adding the pasta.
Q: What if I don’t have all the herbs?
A: While the herb blend is ideal, you can use Italian seasoning as a substitute. Start with 2 teaspoons and adjust to taste.
Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
A: Yes, but you’ll need about 6-8 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced. The flavor might be slightly brighter with fresh tomatoes.
Get ready to enjoy a bowl of comforting, flavorful goodness! This Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone is sure to become a family favorite.
Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone
Ingredients
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
- 2 cups water
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 cup diced celery 3 stalks
- 1 cup diced carrots 2 carrots
- 1 cup diced yellow onion 1 small
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 2 tsp dried
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp dried rosemary crushed
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 1/3 cups diced zucchini 1 small
- 1 1/3 cups pasta small pasta shapes
- 1 15 oz can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine vegetable stock, water, diced tomatoes, celery, carrots, onion, parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add zucchini, pasta, and cannellini beans.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
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