Minestrone Soup with Alphabet pasta

Ingredients

• 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 cups cooked alphabet pasta
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• Basil sprigs, garnish, optional

Directions

In a slow cooker, combine broth, tomatoes, beans, carrots, celery, onion, thyme, sage, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Thirty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add pasta and zucchini. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Remove