Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

Total Time: 6 hrs 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 6 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup ham, cut into cubes
• 1 (19 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 sweet green pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup corn kernel
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup orzo pasta, precooked (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a 6 quart slow cooker, combine the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, oregano and salt.
• 2 add the tomatoes, stock, water, ham and kidney beans.
• 3 cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender, about 6 hours.
• 4 add the green pepper, zucchini, corn and cooked pasta (if using).
• 5 cover and cook on high until the vegetables are tender crisp, about 20 minutes.
• 6 discard the bay leaves and stir in the parsley.