Hearty and Nourishing Minestrone Soup Recipe

Warm up with this Minestrone Soup recipe, a hearty blend of veggies, beans, and pasta in a tomato broth, making healthy eating effortlessly delicious.

Minestrone Soup Recipe

Hearty and nourishing, this vegetable, bean, and pasta soup is perfect for chilly weather or any day you want a wholesome meal. Ideal for meal prep, it makes for delicious leftovers that taste even better the next day. Follow these simple steps with everyday ingredients for a pot of comforting minestrone.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 sticks celery chopped
• 3 medium carrots peeled & sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth or veggie broth
• 1 small zucchini chopped
• 1 cup fresh green beans chopped
• 1 (14-ounce) can red kidney beans drained
• 1 (14 ounces) can of white kidney (cannellini) beans drained
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Salt & pepper to taste

• Fresh basil optional, to taste
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables:
   • Add oil, butter, onion, celery, carrots, and garlic to a large soup pot.
   • Sauté the mixture for 7-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
2. Add Soup Base Ingredients:
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, broth, zucchini, green beans, red kidney beans, white kidney beans, and Italian seasoning.
3. Bring to Boil:
   • Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.
4. Simmer the Soup:
   • Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
   • Cover the pot with the lid slightly open and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Add Pasta:
   • Stir in the pasta.
   • Continue simmering the soup with the lid off for another 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta and veggies are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
6. Final Touches:
   • Before serving, season the soup to taste with salt and pepper. Be generous with both if desired.
   • Stir in the basil if using.
   • Serve each bowl with some parmesan cheese grated or shaved over the top.
7. Adjust Consistency:
   • This minestrone is fairly thick. If you find it too thick, add a splash more broth to thin it out, especially when reheating leftovers.

Enjoy your hearty minestrone soup!

Serving Suggestions:

• Sourdough Bread
• Caesar Salad
• Garlic Parmesan Croutons
• Italian Dressing Salad
• Creamy Balsamic Dressing Salad

Tips and Tricks:

• Adding a Parmesan rind while the soup cooks infuses it with added depth and richness.
• Remember to remove it before serving.
• Sautéing bacon or pancetta with the initial vegetables can add a savory depth for those who prefer a meatier flavor.
• This recipe can also be adapted for cooking in an Instant Pot for those who prefer pressure cooking.