4.40 from 38 votes

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

Name: Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 255 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 2 carrots (chopped); 1 yellow onion (chopped); 2 celery hearts (chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes; 1 white potato (peeled and chopped into cubes); ½ head savoy cabbage (thinly sliced); 2 medium zucchini (chopped into small cubes); 1 15 oz can garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed); 1 15 oz can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed); 1 15 oz can white beans (drained and rinsed); 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped); 1 rind from 2 oz. of parmesan cheese; 1 bay leaf; 2 cups water; 32 oz container low sodium chicken or vegetable stock; 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Brittany MullinsUpdated Jan 10, 2025

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51 Comments

Servings: 6

4 hrs 15 mins

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This slow cooker minestrone soup is packed with fresh veggies, beans and seasonings. Pop everything in your slow cooker and come home to a warm and comforting meal.

A ladle holding a portion of minestrone soup over a large crock pot of the soup.

As soon as the weather cools, I’m all about soups and slow cooker meals, especially this slow cooker minestrone soup.

It’s flavorful and filling thanks to all the herbs, hearty vegetables and protein-rich beans. Many minestrone soups are made with pasta, but not this one! I skipped the noodles for more beans, which I prefer because they add a lot more protein and fiber to this soup.

Why You’ll Love This Soup
Ingredients Needed
Minestrone Variations
How to Make Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Recipe Tip!
What to Serve with Minestrone Soup
Storing Leftovers
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Soup

Effortless – The slow cooker does all the work for you. Just prep the ingredients, add them to your slow cooker and let the magic happen! It’s the perfect meal for busy days.
Meal prep – One pot makes a lot of soup so you can meal prep the soup over the weekend to enjoy for lunch or dinner during the week.
Protein-packed – One serving of this soup is loaded with over 20 grams of plant-based protein thanks to all the beans making this a great vegetarian dinner option.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients measured out to make Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup: sea salt, pepper, water, white beans, onion, kidney beans, zucchini, bay leaf, diced tomatoes, stock, garlic, celery, olive oil, parsley, cabbage, carrots, parmesan, basil, oregano, garbanzo beans and potato.

olive oil – used to sauté the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker, which adds a nice flavor.
vegetables – you’ll need carrots, yellow onion, garlic, celery, cabbage, potatoes and zucchini for this soup.
diced tomatoes – I used canned regular diced tomatoes, but you can use fire roasted diced tomatoes if you want some added flavor.
beans – we’re using a mix of red kidney, garbanzo and white beans. All canned, drained, and rinsed, these add plenty of protein and texture.
chicken or vegetable broth – this forms the liquid foundation of the soup, adding depth and richness. You can choose based on your dietary preference.
parmesan cheese – fresh Parmesan cheese is great as a topping. And, as a bonus secret ingredient that will add a ton of flavor, you can toss a parmesan rind into the soup at the same time you add the other seasonings and spices.
seasonings and spices – you’ll need fresh parsley, dried basil, dried oregano and a bay leaf for that Italian flavor. Plus, you can’t forget about the salt and pepper to bring all the flavors together!

Minestrone Variations

Add spice: For those who like a little heat, add a small dish of red pepper flakes to your soup.
Dairy-free: Make this soup dairy free by skipping the parmesan rind and the extra parmesan for topping or try using a dairy-free or vegan parmesan.
Add grains: Make this soup heartier by adding in cooked rice or pasta before serving. Check out my classic minestrone soup for a version with noodles!
Use what you have: This is a great “clean out the fridge” soup! Have different vegetables you want to get rid of? Throw them in! This is delicious with added leafy greens (like kale or spinach) or even green beans.

How to Make Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

I’ve said it before, but I love slow cooker meals because they are so easy to make and this minestrone soup recipe is no different. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Start by sautéing the carrots, onion, celery and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker, just for additional flavor. My slow cooker base is stove-top friendly, which makes the transition from stove-top to slow cooker a breeze.

Side by side photos of veggies and garlic in a pot, before and after being cooked.

Step 2: Next, simply add the sautéed vegetables and all remaining ingredients into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours or until the potatoes are cooked. Taste the soup before serving and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Remove the parmesan rind and bay leaf. Portion the soup into bowls, top with parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Three photos showing the cooking steps of Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup: veggies and broth in a slow cooker, cabbage being added, and the soup softened when cooked.

Recipe Tip!

The ingredients, especially the potatoes and cabbage, may absorb some of the broth as they sit. So, when you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, you might need to add a bit more broth or water to bring the soup back to your desired consistency.

What to Serve with Minestrone Soup

This soup is a filling meal on it’s own thanks to all of the veggies and beans, but if you’re looking for some sides to serve with this soup here are some ideas:

Bread: Serve your minestrone with a side of fresh bread (like sourdough). The combination of warm soup ad crusty bread is a classic and comforting choice.
Crackers: For more crunch try serving this soup with your favorite crackers. These almond crackers would be delicious!
Croutons: Croutons are the perfect crunchy addition to minestrone. Use store-bought or try my sourdough croutons.
Salad: You can’t go wrong with a soup + salad combo! Try this garlicky kale salad, Italian chopped salad or simple kale salad for some greens.

A large crock pot of minestrone soup with a ladle holding a portion of the soup.

Storing Leftovers

Like I mentioned earlier, soup is perfect for meal prep because you can make a large quantity and enjoy it over several days.

After cooking, allow the minestrone soup to cool slightly, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For longer storage, let the soup cool completely then add to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, let it defrost in the fridge overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make minestrone soup in the instant pot?

I haven’t tested it, but here’s how you could try:

1. Sauté the oil, carrots, onions, and celery in the Instant Pot until onions are translucent, then add garlic and cook for 5 more minutes.
2. Add diced tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, spices, parmesan rind, water, and stock. Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
3. Quick release, then switch back to sauté mode. Add zucchini and beans, cooking for 5-6 minutes until tender.
4. Remove the parmesan rind and bay leaf, season to taste, and serve with parmesan cheese.

How do I make minestrone soup on the stove top

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté the carrots, onion, and celery until onions are translucent, then add garlic and cook for 5 more minutes.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
3. Check the potatoes—if they’re not tender, keep simmering until fully cooked.
4. Remove the parmesan rind and bay leaf, season to taste, and serve topped with parmesan cheese.