Stay with me mama, I know this looks/sounds hard and time consuming but I swear it's not. I got it from Taste of Home's Light and Fit cookbook (I think!). This is the original stove top recipe, but to turn it into a crockpot recipe (which is the only way I do it!), just brown the sausage and onion together first (forget all the other sauteeing), drain, and then add EVERYTHING except the 'grain' to the crockpot on low for 8hrs or high for 4-6 hours. 30 minutes before serving, add your grain (rice, barley, pasta) and cook on High until desired texture.
Italian Ministrone
1 lb bulk pork sausage ( I use sweet Italian, but you could just leave it out all together if your not a meat person)
1 large onion chopped
2 lrg carrots chopped
2 celery ribs choppped
1 medium leek (white part only) chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 med zuchinni cut into 1/2 in peices
1/4 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2 in peices.
6 cups beef broth (I use 3 (14.5 oz each) cans, it just won't be so soupy)
2 (14.5 each) cans diced tomatoes with basil, oregeno and garlic
3 cups shredded cabbage (I use bagged, non-dressed, cole slaw mix)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregeno
1/4 tsp pepper
1 (15 oz) can garbonzo beans (I use drk red kidney beans on occasion)
1/2 C uncooked small pasta shells (I have used orzo or dinitalli pasta and last time used slow cook barley that turned out good too)
3 Tbs minced fresh parsley ( I never use this so I don't miss it, but don't know if it makes a difference)
Grated Parmesean cheese
1) In a big huge pot, brown the sauage and onion until no longer pink; drain.
2) Stir in carrots, celery, leek and garlic; cook for 3 min.
3) Add zuchchini and green beans; cook for two minutes longer.
4) Stir in broth, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, oregeno and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
5) Return to boil, add beans, pasta and parsley; cook for 6-9 minutes or until pasta is done
6) Serve with parm cheese.