Crockpot Minestrone Soup (& Stovetop Directions)

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Italian sausage, cooked
• 3 large carrots (~1 1/2 cups), small dice
• 5 stalks celery (1 1/2 cups), chopped
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced (~ 2 1/2 tsp.)
• 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sun dried tomato pesto, store bought (optional)
• 8 small/medium red potatoes or 3-4 small Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (~1 1/2 cups)
• 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 cups vegetable broth ((may sub chicken or beef broth))
• 2 cups water
• 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 1/2 cups frozen baby spinach
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• 1 1/2 cups pasta (tortellini)* cooked (, or any small pasta cooked))
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese for garnish