Hearty Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, diced
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes, with juices
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• parmesan rind, or 1" chunk of parmesan
• 2-3 Tbsp minced garlic 
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/4 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 4 cups fat free vegetable stock or broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 Tbsp vegetable base
• 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 oz can cannelini beans, drained and rinsed

ADD 20-25 MINUTES BEFORE SERVING

• 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1 1/2 cups dried ditalini or other small pasta

ADD 5 MINUTES BEFORE SERVING

• 1 cup frozen cut green beans
• 1 1/2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped