For an Italian flourish to the minestrone soup, top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese!

Minestrone Soup Mix Ingredients:

Cranberry beans, red and green peppers, celery, carrots, parsley, gluten free corn pasta and herbs. No added salt, preservatives or MSG.

Allergen Information: Gluten-Free

Recipe Additions:

6 slices bacon
1 purple onion, diced
10 cups beef broth
8 ounces fresh (or 1 box frozen) brussel sprouts, quartered
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes

Minestrone Soup Recipe Directions:

Preparing the beans:

• Rinse, drain and pick over.
• Place in a bowl with 8 cups water and soak for 4 hours at room temperature, or for a “quick soak” boil for 10 minutes and let stand for 2 hours.
• Drain beans, and place in a 4 quart pot with 8 cups water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours or more.

While beans are simmering:

• Cut bacon in 1/2 inch pieces and sauté over medium heat in a 6 quart pot until nearly crisp.
• Add onion and sauté 5 minutes.
• Stir in vegetable packet and toss lightly.
• Add broth and drained cranberry beans and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
• Add tomatoes and brussel sprouts and simmer, covered, 20 minutes.
• Add pasta and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Garnish with grated parmesan cheese.

Two cups shredded cabbage may be substituted for brussel sprouts in this classic Italian “Big Soup”.

Slow Cooker Recipe Directions:

Recommended slow cooker: 6 quart

Preparing the beans the night before:

• Rinse, drain and pick over the beans.
• Place in a bowl with 2 quarts water and refrigerate overnight.

Assembling the soup in the morning (or the night before):

• Cut bacon in 1/2 inch pieces and sauté over medium heat in a skillet until nearly crisp.
• Add onion and contents of vegetable packet and sauté 5 minutes on low heat.
• Transfer mixture to bowl of slow cooker. (May cover and refrigerate overnight.)

Cooking:

• Drain beans and add with broth to slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours.
• Add tomatoes and brussels sprouts. Cover and cook on HI for 1 hour. Add pasta last 30 minutes.