Description
A hearty, comforting Italian‑style slow cooker soup with pasta and beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb (≈ 450 g) lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 (15‑oz) cans kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 (15‑oz) can cannellini (white) beans, drained & rinsed
- 2 (14.5‑oz) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 jar (≈ 24–28 oz) spaghetti sauce
- 32 oz (≈ 4 cups) beef broth
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (or other small pasta)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking into crumbles; drain excess fat.
- Transfer the browned meat into the slow cooker.
- Add onion, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, spaghetti sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6‑8 hours (or on HIGH for 4‑5 hours). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked pasta, cover, and cook until pasta is tender. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper) as needed.
- Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- If you prefer a soupier texture, reserve a little extra beef broth and add it near the end, as pasta continues to absorb liquid. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- You can cook the pasta separately and add it to individual servings to prevent overcooking in leftovers. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Use lean ground beef (e.g. 93/7) to reduce excess grease. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- You may substitute or add vegetables (e.g. spinach, zucchini) if desired.
- Store leftovers by keeping soup and pasta separate; pasta stored in the broth may get soggy. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 soup serving (without extra pasta absorption)
- Calories: ≈ 355 kcal
- Sugar: ≈ 10 g
- Sodium: ≈ 1,072 mg
- Fat: ≈ 15 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈ 5 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈ 33 g
- Fiber: ≈ 8 g
- Protein: ≈ 22 g
- Cholesterol: ≈ 48 mg
