SLOW COOKER HAMBURGER MINESTRONE

By Clarabell

Ingredients

• 2T olive oil
• 1 # ground beef
• 1/2 t salt
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 c diced onion
• 1 c peeled and chopped carrot
• 1 c chopped zucchini
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 t minced garlic
• 4 c low-sodium beef broth
• 1 28-oz can crushed Italian style tomatoes
• 1 t dry basil
• 1 t dry oregano
• 1/2 t thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 c ditalini pasta, uncooked
• 1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese

Details

Servings 10
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 700mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, stirring to break up. Season with salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink. Drain off as much of the grease as possible and transfer the cooked beef to the slow cooker. Add the onion carrot, zucchini, celery, garlic, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf to the slow cooker with the beef. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW 5-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.

2. After intial cooking time, add beans, ditalini pasta (uncooked) and Parmesan. Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is al-dente.