Slow-Cooker Italian Vegetable & Farro Soup

The farro­­an ancient whole grain rich in iron and fiber--and butternut squash make this slow-cooker soup hearty and filling. If you're looking for an easy way to work whole grains into your diet, this is it.

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Prep Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
4 hrs
Total Time:
4 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 (8 ounce) package presliced fresh cremini mushrooms

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions (from 1 onion)

  • 1 cup chopped celery (from 3 celery stalks)

  • 4 cups peeled butternut squash (from 1 squash)

  • 4 cups water

  • 4 cups unsalted vegetable stock

  • 1 cup uncooked whole-grain farro

  • 5 cups coarsely chopped baby spinach (about 5 ounces)

  • ¼ cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

  • ¼ cup torn fresh basil leaves

  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved (about 1 1/2 cups)

Directions

  1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper; cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the onions and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onions and celery are slightly softened, about 4 minutes.

  2. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the squash, water, stock, and farro. Cover and cook on LOW until the farro and vegetables are tender, about 4 hours.

  3. Just before serving, add the spinach, parsley, basil, vinegar, salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring until the spinach wilts. Ladle the soup into bowls; top evenly with the Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Tips

Multicooker Directions: Complete Step 1. In Step 2, transfer the mushroom mixture to the inner pot of a 6-quart multicooker. Stir in the squash, water, stock, and farro. Lock the lid; turn Pressure Valve to "Venting." Cook on SLOW COOK [Normal] until the farro and vegetables are tender, 4 hours. Complete Step 3.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

212 Calories
7g Fat
31g Carbs
10g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
Calories 212
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 10g 20%
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 528mg 23%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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