Lower Sodium and Low Carb Minestrone

This takes about 7 hours to cook in a slow cooker, the easiest way to do it actually. The key is uniformity of cut where your veggies are concerned. Also you will want to put frozen green beans in if you use them (I put some in mine even though its not in the actual recipe).

You can do this on the stove and it will cook faster, but you will have to start the pasta sooner and add the zucchini in last. I also added in some rotisserie shredded chicken to mine to pump up the protein.

• 4 large carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks of chopped celery
• 2 15oz cans no salt added diced tomatoes
• 3 cloves of diced minced garlic
• 2 cups fresh green beans, 2" pieces
• 2 15oz no salt added kidney or white beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 cups unsalted beef or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 large chopped zucchini
• 4 oz very small pasta

1. Put everything but the pasta and zucchini into the pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
2. For the last 20 minutes add in your pasta and zucchini until tender.

2 cups with 1.5 tsp parmesan cheese on top have 222 calories and 41 carbs.