“Soup puts the heart at ease, calms down the violence of hunger, eliminates the tension of the day, and awakens and refines the appetite.”
So once declared famous historic French chef Auguste Escoffier, and we couldn’t agree more. Soup is one of the great comforts of life, as well as providing nourishment and hydration.
This simple, filling Heart Smart® minestrone soup features lots of vegetables, which are essential for a heart-healthy diet. In fact, soup is a great way to work more servings of vegetables into your diet. It comes together in a slow cooker and simmers all day, with a few finishing touches to bring it all together a half-hour before serving.
Heart Smart® Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
(Downloadable/printable version of this recipe)Yield: 11 (1 cup) servings
Ingredients:
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
6 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup diced onion
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup green beans, cut into bite-size pieces
4 cloves garlic, peeled, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
2 teaspoons dried basil, divided
1 teaspoon dried thyme, divided
1 cup dry elbow macaroni
4 cups baby spinach leaves, lightly packed
2 tablespoons distilled vinegar
11 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
In a large slow cooker, combine whole tomatoes with juices (crushing each tomato by hand), tomato paste, broth, cannellini beans, onion, carrots, celery, green beans, garlic, red pepper flakes (for heat, if desired), 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon basil and 1/2 teaspoon thyme. Set cooker on high and cook soup for 4 hours. Prepare macaroni according to package directions, omitting the salt. Add cooked pasta, spinach, remaining oregano, basil, and thyme and cook an additional 30 minutes. Add vinegar when cooking time is complete. Each serving consists of 1 cup soup, garnished with 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese.NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING: 115 calories; 1 gram fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 3 mg cholesterol; 470 mg sodium; 20 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams fiber; 7 grams protein
Henry Ford LiveWell and Kroger have teamed up to assist you in your wellness journey! Learn how to shop and cook healthy by signing up for a grocery tour store hosted by a Henry Ford registered dietitian nutritionist at Kroger stores across southeast Michigan.
Looking for more info and want to make an appointment with a registered dietitian? Call 1-855-434-5483 or email ContactUs@henryfordlivewell.com.
