Classic Minestrone Soup

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Are you wanting to have a healthy soup recipe that you can add to your meal rotation?  Our minestrone recipe is the answer!

Questions

Is minestrone soup healthy?

Traditionally, minestrone ranks up in the top 10 healthiest soups that are popular in America.  To classify it as healthy, it must be low in fat, rich in fiber, contain healthy carbs, low calorie, and low in sodium. 

How many calories are in one serving?

For a serving size of 1 ½ cups plus ¼ cup of pasta, there will be 374 calories and 60.2g carbs.  This recipe is high in fiber, vitamins A and C and is also high in calcium and iron.  For more nutritional information, scroll down to the end of the recipe card.

Can you make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you most certainly can.  It actually tastes better the second day.  I would recommend making the pasta fresh the day you plan on serving it and letting the guests add the amount of pasta they want to their bowls.

How to Make

Start by cutting up the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, then measure out the spices and olive oil.

Cut up the zucchini, kale, parsley, and the cheese rind.  Rinse the beans, grate the cheese, and measure out the pasta.  Pour the chicken broth into a jug, and open the two cans of tomatoes.

Now that all the prep work is done, start sauteing the aromatics until soft.

Add the spices and the zucchini and cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the tomatoes with their juices, then the chicken broth.  Stir in the small pieces of the cheese rind.  Cover and bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the rinsed beans and the kale, then cook for another 20 minutes (or longer if you wish. I like to simmer this for a couple of hours.)  While it simmers, cook the pasta separately so it doesn't absorb too much broth.  On the other hand, if you would prefer to add the pasta to the soup, now is the time.

Take out the two bay leaves, then adjust the seasonings to taste.

Stir together, then garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. 

To serve, add ¼ cup of cooked pasta to each bowl and ladle 1 ½ cups on top.

Minestrone soup is a not only healthy, but is also easy to make.  It's a hearty, high fiber recipe that will have your family asking for seconds.  Make this tonight!

Variations

• Don't have kale?  Try spinach.
• Want another veggie?  Try cut up green beans.
• Want to add meat?  Try ½ pound of cooked hamburger.

Pro Tips

• Start it with a base of aromatics: onion, celery and carrots.
• Cook the spices and zucchini for a few minutes before adding the tomatoes and broth.
• Use some fresh summer garden vegetables like zucchini or green beans.
• Pour the juice from the canned tomatoes into the pot.
• Cube up the Parmesan rind and throw it in, it's my secret ingredient.

These other hearty, comforting soups are perfect for dinner time.

• Pasta e Fagioli Soup
• Stuffed Pepper Soup

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Classic Minestrone Soup

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5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 cups 1x

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Description

This easy and healthy minestrone soup is loaded with vegetables, beans, and pasta.  This stovetop version tastes the best when served with a crusty Italian loaf to soak up the flavorful broth.  You can’t beat a homemade Italian soup!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil (reserve ½ tablespoon for the pasta)
• 1 ¾ cup yellow onion, chopped
• ¾ cup carrots, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 3 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
• 1 ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
• 3 ½ cups fresh zucchini, chopped
• 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, no salt added
• 28-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, no salt added
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese rind, chopped (34g)
• 15-ounce can Great Northern beans, rinsed
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 1 cup dry ditalini pasta (130g)

For the Garnish

• ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (20g)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Pour the olive oil into a large pot over medium high heat.  Let it heat up for a minute, then add the onions, carrots, and celery.  Mix well to coat in oil, then cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Add the spices and the zucchini and cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Pour in the canned tomatoes with their juices, the chicken broth, and the cheese rind, then bring it to a boil over medium heat.  Turn the heat down to medium low and let the soup simmer 15 minutes with the lid askew, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the rinsed beans and the kale.  Mix well, and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. While it is simmering, cook the pasta separately for about 10 minutes, until al dente.  Drain and toss the pasta with ½ tablespoon of olive oil.
6. Just before serving the soup, remove the two bay leaves.  Taste and adjust seasonings to taste.
7. To serve, add ¼ cup cooked pasta to the bottom of each bowl, then ladle 1 ½ cups on top.  Stir and garnish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and a grind of fresh black pepper.  Serve hot with a crusty loaf, like this Italian bread.

Notes

• I choose to cook the pasta separate from the soup.  This allows each guest to add as much or as little pasta as they like.  It also keeps the pasta from absorbing the broth and swelling up.  If you choose to add it directly, add it in with the beans and kale.
• If you want to make this vegetarian, swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
• If you want to add meat, cook ½ pound of hamburger until it's no longer pink.  Drain.  Add to veggie mixture after step #2.
• This soup will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.  It also freezes well in an airtight container or a heavy duty freezer bag.
• Want to know my secret ingredient?  Cube up the Parmesan rind and throw it in.

• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: minestrone soup, Italian, vegetarian