I started making this version of minestrone soup a few years ago and I love it to pieces.
Actually it really is a family favorite that we all look forward to.
My husband really likes when I add sausage to it but I typically don’t, it really doesn’t need the sausage. It’s VERY flavorful and comes together pretty easily despite the many ingredients.
This is comfort food at it’s best and simply perfect for a cold winter night coming in from the barn all frosty and cold…there’s nothing like it.
We especially love it with a fresh loaf of crusty sourdough bread to dip in it.
Minestrone Soup
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Recipe By: Megan
Recipe type: Soup
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)
- ½ cup chopped zucchini
- ½ cup frozen cut italian green beans
- ¼ cup minced celery (about ½ stalk)
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 7 cups vegetable broth
- 2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
- 2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or great northern beans, drained
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- ½ cup carrot, julienned or shredded
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup small shell pasta (my favorite is ditalini but macaroni works well also)
Preparation Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, garlic, green beans and zucchini and saute just for a couple minutes until the onions are barely beginning to soften.
- Next add the broth, carrots, beans, tomatoes and herbs.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the carrots are soft.
- Next add the pasta and cook about another 10-15 minutes until it is al dente.
- Add the spinach and stir to wilt - it will seem like a lot of spinach but it will practically disappear once it wilts.
- Serve hot with freshly grated parmesan cheese
is a self taught home cook who enjoys cooking healthy and simple foods and delectable desserts for her husband and kids and the frequent last-minute dinner guests her husband shows up with.
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