Lunch: Slow-Cooker Easy Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup

Garbanzos, zucchini, Parmesan, tomatoes, sausage--this easy recipe turns to classic Italian flavorings to create a satisfying soup.

Ingredients

1/2 lb. bulk Italian pork sausage
1 cup sliced fresh carrots
1 large baking potato, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 garlic clove, minced
2 (14-oz.) cans beef broth
1 (15-oz.) can garbanzo beans or Chickpeas, drained
1 (14.5-oz.) can pasta-style chunky tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
1 cup julienne-cut (2x1/8x1/8-inch) zucchini
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese, if desired

Instructions

Cook sausage in large skillet until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Drain. In 3 1/2 or 4-quart slow cooker, combine cooked sausage and all remaining ingredients except zucchini and cheese; stir gently to mix.
Cover; cook on Low setting for 7 to 9 hours.
About 30 minutes before serving, remove and discard bay leaf from soup. Gently stir in zucchini. Cover; cook an additional 30 minutes or until zucchini is tender.
To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls. Sprinkle with cheese.

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