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Slow Cooker Pasta and Bean Soup

A heartwarming soup that combines Italian sausage with colorful vegetables and hearty beans, perfect for chilly evenings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 1 can kidney beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • 1 can cannellini beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup pasta (such as elbow macaroni or ditalini)
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • as needed Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  2. Transfer the cooked sausage to a slow cooker.
  3. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, diced celery, and chopped bell pepper to the slow cooker.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, and the beef broth.
  5. Season the soup with dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes, if using. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for about 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  2. About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and add it to the slow cooker.
  3. Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving.
  4. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For extra depth of flavor, brown the vegetables in the same skillet as the sausage. For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving can brighten the flavors.