Description
Hearty Minestrone soup blends Italian culinary traditions with garden-fresh vegetables and rich seasonings. Savory broth and tender beans create a comforting meal perfect for nourishing hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cup (960 ml) vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale, chopped
- ½ cup (80 g) small pasta (like ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- ½ cup (100 g) rice or barley (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil and gently cook onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence, approximately 5 minutes.
- Layer Flavors: Add minced garlic, zucchini, and green beans to the vegetable base. Sprinkle oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, stirring to distribute seasonings thoroughly and develop a robust flavor profile.
- Build Liquid Foundation: Pour vegetable broth, water, and diced tomatoes into the pot. Bring to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop depth.
- Integrate Proteins and Starches: Introduce pasta and cannellini beans, simmering until pasta reaches al dente texture and beans become tender, absorbing the rich, herbaceous broth.
- Finish and Serve: Incorporate spinach or kale, letting the greens wilt seamlessly into the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into serving bowls and optionally garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Optimize Vegetable Softening: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Control Pasta Cooking: Add pasta towards the end to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente consistency, which prevents mushiness.
- Enhance Flavor Layering: Sauté vegetables slowly to develop deep, rich flavors before adding liquids, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Easily make the soup gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives, making it adaptable for various dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg