Description
A comforting bowl of Hearty Italian Minestrone Soup filled with vibrant vegetables, nutritious beans, and pasta, perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 2 cups chopped spinach or kale
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 0.75 cup small pasta (ditalini, elbow, or small shells)
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for about 5 to 6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the minced garlic, diced zucchini, and chopped green beans. Allow them to mingle and soften for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juices, followed by the vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and let bubble gently for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the small pasta along with the cannellini and kidney beans. Simmer uncovered for another 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the chopped spinach or kale, cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until wilted. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
- Ladle your hearty soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan, parsley, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Notes
This soup tastes even better the next day. Consider preparing a big batch for meals throughout the week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 13g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 5mg