Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Onion, chopped
• Carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
• Zucchini, sliced
• Tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 10.5-oz. condensed beef broth
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Fresh oregano, chopped
• 1/2 cup Small shell-shaped pasta
• Grated Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a slow cooker, combine the chopped onion, thinly sliced carrots, sliced zucchini, chopped tomatoes, condensed beef broth, water, chopped fresh parsley, and chopped fresh oregano.
2. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Once the vegetables are tender, switch the slow cooker to HIGH. Add the small shell-shaped pasta to the slow cooker.
4. Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for an additional 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
5. Ladle the vegetable and pasta soup into serving bowls.
6. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over each serving.
7. Serve the delicious vegetable and pasta soup warm and enjoy its comforting flavors.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (Per serving):

• Calories: 61
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrate: 12g
• Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 275mg

This slow-cooked vegetable and pasta soup is a light and nourishing option, perfect for a comforting meal.

Here are some variations of the slow-cooked vegetable and pasta soup recipe that you can try:

1. Chicken Noodle Soup: Add cooked shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with the vegetables. Use egg noodles instead of shell-shaped pasta for a classic and hearty chicken noodle soup.
2. Minestrone Soup: Incorporate kidney beans, cannellini beans, and chopped spinach to the slow cooker along with the vegetables. Use ditalini pasta and Italian seasoning for a flavorful minestrone soup.
3. Vegetarian Lentil Soup: Replace the beef broth with vegetable broth and add cooked lentils to the slow cooker with the vegetables. Use any small pasta shape of your choice or substitute with quinoa for a vegetarian lentil soup.
4. Mexican Tortilla Soup: Add diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, and corn to the slow cooker along with the vegetables. Use tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips as a garnish for a zesty Mexican tortilla soup.
5. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: Puree some of the cooked vegetables and tomatoes in a blender, then return it to the slow cooker. Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk and chopped fresh basil for a creamy tomato basil soup.
6. Greek Lemon Chicken Soup: Add cooked shredded chicken, lemon juice, and orzo pasta to the slow cooker along with the vegetables. Season with dried dill and a touch of nutmeg for a comforting Greek lemon chicken soup.
7. Italian Wedding Soup: Mix cooked tiny meatballs, chopped spinach, and orzo pasta into the slow cooker with the vegetables. Season with Italian herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage for an Italian wedding soup.
8. Curry Vegetable Soup: Stir in curry powder and coconut milk to the slow cooker along with the vegetables. Use rice noodles instead of pasta for a flavorful and exotic curry vegetable soup.
9. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soup: Add diced sweet potatoes, black beans, and diced green chilies to the slow cooker with the vegetables. Season with chili powder and cumin for a hearty sweet potato and black bean soup.
10. Tomato Basil Pesto Soup: Mix basil pesto into the slow cooker along with the vegetables and tomatoes. Use small bow-tie pasta instead of shells and top with grated Parmesan cheese for a delicious tomato basil pesto soup.