Go Back
Crock Pot Beef and Vegetable Minestrone filled with fresh vegetables and tender beef.

Crock Pot Beef and Vegetable Minestrone

A hearty and flexible slow cooker soup filled with beef, vegetables, and pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 to 1.5 pounds beef stew meat or chuck, cut into bite size pieces Chuck works great as slow cooking makes it tender.
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 to 3 pieces carrots, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (around 28 oz)
  • 4 to 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 can beans (kidney or cannellini), drained and rinsed
  • 1 to 2 cups chopped zucchini or green beans Add at the end to avoid overcooking.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, plus more to taste
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 1 to 2 cups small pasta (ditalini is classic) or cooked pasta added later For best results, cook separately and add to each bowl.
  • handful spinach, stirred in at the end Optional.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Toss the beef, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, beans, and Italian seasoning into the crock pot.
  2. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is tender.
  3. Add quick-cooking veggies like zucchini during the last hour to avoid overcooking.
  4. If using pasta, add in the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking on high or keep it separate and stir into each bowl before serving.

Notes

Brown the beef first for extra flavor if time permits. Do not overdo the pasta in the pot. Add greens at the end to keep them bright. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.