Slow-Cooker Sausage Minestrone Recipe

You'll crave this colorful dish for cozy nights in when it's cold outside. There's nothing better than warm soup, and making it in a slow cooker is even more appealing. We recommend going Southern with sausage and buying Conecuh. Made in Alabama, Conecuh is a smoked sausage made with a great blend of seasoning and smoked over a pure Hickory fire. It'll add extra flavor to this already-flavorful meal. Cornbread would be the perfect partner for this crowd-pleasing dish. Try this classic skillet-baked cornbread that will have the family coming back for seconds. The crust is so golden and crispy. The sausage and vegetables freeze well and taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. If you're planning to enjoy the soup later, prepare the pasta separately so it doesn't turn mushy. Tip from the test kitchen: Stir in the sliced collards at the end so they retain a bit of texture. If you use pre-chopped, bagged greens, be sure to remove and discard any tough stems.