Not only is this the best-tasting Minestrone Soup Recipe, but it is one of the easiest soup recipes to make. Featuring a rich tomato base, fresh vegetables, and tender pasta, this Crockpot Minestrone delivers a hearty, flavorful soup that is low in calories, yet will leave you satisfied.

From Tortellini Soup to Lasagna Soup to Vegetable Beef Soup to Crockpot Minestrone, there is nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of soup on a rainy or chilly night. And while I love ALL the soups, I am currently on a Crockpot Minestrone kick. It is light, yet hearty, and super easy to make!
Reasons to Love Crockpot Minestrone
- Insanely Easy Recipe. This recipe for Slow Cooker Minestrone is as easy as dump, mix, and slow cook. Even the pasta cooks right in the crockpot!
- Hearty and Delicious. Made with a richly seasoned broth, tender pasta, and tons of vegetables, Minestrone is incredibly flavorful and filling.
- Versatile Recipe. While my recipe gives you a great starting base, you can change up the vegetables, use gluten-free pasta, and chicken stock or vegetable broth, making this soup suit your needs OR what you have on hand.
- Nutrient-Dense. Rich in fiber, nutrients, and plant-based protein, Minestrone Soup is a complete meal in a bowl.
Notes on Ingredients

- Broth: Use low-sodium chicken stock or vegetable broth.
- Red Wine: Red wine adds a rich intense flavor to the minestrone. If you opt to add in wine, use a dry red wine, such as Merlot or a Cabernet.
- Seasonings: Minced garlic, salt, pepper, bay, onion powder, and Italian seasoning work to give Minestrone its classic Italian flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes: The diced tomatoes will add texture and additional liquid to the Minestrone.
- Marinara Sauce: Using prepared spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce, will add more depth and flavor to the soup than simply adding plain tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes.
- Vegetables: A combination of diced carrots, diced zucchini, diced celery, and frozen cut green beans are the classic choices in a Minestrone soup recipe.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are an optional addition to Minestrone, but I love the texture they add to the soup. If you opt to add, use yellow or russet potatoes, that have been peeled and diced into small cubes so that the potatoes become tender as the Minestrone slow cooks.
- Beans: Kidney beans, cannellini beans, or northern white beans all work in Minestrone. Use all of one variety or mix and match.
- Pasta: Use a small pasta, such as Ditilani or elbow noodles, which will cook fast and not overwhelm the soup.
- Spinach: Use washed and dried baby spinach. If you want to replace the spinach with cabbage or kale, add it to the crockpot at the start of the recipe, to give the strudier greens time to properly cook.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Finishing the soup with a splash of red wine vinegar will help to bring the flavors to life and make the soup pop. Feel free to use balsamic vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar.
Recipe Modifications
- No Marinara or Spaghetti Sauce on hand? Use crushed tomatoes plus an additional 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Gluten-Free Minestrone: For best results, cook your favorite gluten-free noodles on the stove, rather than adding them to the slow cooker to cook. Gluten-free noodles can give off a lot of excess starch so it is best to cook them separately and stir into the soup right before serving.
- Alcohol-Free Minestrone: Omit the wine and use additional broth in its place.
- Vegetable Options: Mix and match the vegetables in this soup. Other great options include yellow squash, diced butternut squash, diced sweet potatoes, or peas.

Serving Instructions
I love serving minestrone with freshly grated parmesan cheese, but if you are dairy-free or following a vegan diet, omit the parmesan cheese.
Pair this Crockpot Minestrone with a tossed Greek salad, a loaf of Italian Bread, with Italian Bread Dipping Oil, for an easy, wholesome family meal.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow the Minestrone to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Transfer the cooled Minestrone to a freezer-safe container, leaving 1 inch of space for expansion. Freeze the soup for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: If needed, defrost the soup overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat the soup, cook over low heat in a saucepan, adding additional vegetable broth to thin as needed. Alternatively, reheat individual servings in a heat-safe bowl covered with a damp paper towel in 60-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until warmed through, adding additional broth if needed.
More Hearty Vegetarian Soup Recipes
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Potato Corn Chowder
- Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
- Instant Pot Tomato Soup
- 30-Minute Baked Potato Soup
If you tried this Crockpot Minestrone, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

Crockpot Minestrone
Ingredients
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup dry red wine optional
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes
- 15 ounces marinara sauce or prepared spaghetti sauce
- ½-1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 stalk celery thinly sliced
- 2 cups cubed gold potatoes about 2 medium potatoes
- 2 cups fresh or frozen green beans cut into 1 inch chunks
- 3 cups diced zucchini about 2 medium
- 1 cup diced carrot about 2 medium
- 15 ounces kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup ditalini pasta or small shell pasta
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- In a large slow cooker, mix the broth, wine, diced tomatoes, marinara, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, bay leaf, onion powder, garlic, celery, potatoes, green beans, zucchini, carrots, and beans.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
- Turn the slow cooker to high. Add in the pasta and cook for 20-30 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Remove the bay leaf, and stir in vinegar and spinach. Place the lid back on the crock pot for 5-10 minutes to let the spinach wilt.
- Serve with a generous grating of parmesan if desired.
Dana G
Thank you so much for this recipe! We made it for our snow storm over the weekend and was so excited to have some leftovers!
Kristen Chidsey
Perfect soup for snow storms! I hope you all stay warm and enjoy the leftovers!
Melissa
I have never dared make homemade minestrone soup until this one! I am so in love!
Kristen Chidsey
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed this minestrone.
Shar
This is so rich and flavorful! My fam loves this minestrone soup recipe. I'm keeping this!
Ashley F
I love the idea of using onion powder instead of diced onion! My kids actually ate it! Just perfect!
Jennifer Banz
Delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Laura
This looks delicious! Will dry beans work or just canned? I dont believe the recipe specified which. Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
For this recipe, you need canned beans. You can used dried beans, but you will need to pre-cook. Enjoy!