Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3/4 pound extra-lean ground turkey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper chili flakes (optional)
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 3 cups homemade or canned tomato sauce
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup homemade beef stock or no-salt beef broth
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 cup cooked or drained & rinsed canned kidney beans
- 1/2 cup cooked or drained & rinsed canned Great Northern beans
- 1/4 cup dry uncooked Ditalini pasta or other small pasta
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- Water as needed to thin out soup to desired consistency
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients by chopping onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, and mincing the garlic.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and brown the ground turkey until cooked through.
- Transfer the turkey to a slow cooker and add all chopped vegetables, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt/pepper, pasta (if using), balsamic vinegar, and enough water for desired consistency.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
- Stir in fresh parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: For added depth of flavor, use homemade broth if available. Feel free to swap in seasonal vegetables or adjust spices to suit your taste preferences. This soup freezes well; consider making double batches for quick meals later.
