Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

small red or yellow onion, diced

small carrots, diced

celery stalks, diced

garlic cloves, minced

fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

diced tomatoes, with juices

vegetable broth

red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

cannellini beans or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

bay leaves

dried oregano

dried basil

dried rosemary

red pepper flakes

small zucchini, diced

dried whole wheat elbow pasta (can use gluten-free pasta)

chopped fresh spinach

Salt and black pepper,

Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional