Description
Hearty Italian Minestrone soup brims with garden-fresh vegetables, tender beans, and al dente pasta, creating a comforting melody of flavors. Nourishing and rich with Mediterranean charm, you’ll savor each spoonful of this classic Italian comfort classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 potato, diced
Proteins and Canned Ingredients:
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) cannellini beans, drained
Base and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) small pasta (like elbow macaroni)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate flame, introducing diced onions, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté the vegetables until they become translucent and tender, approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, cubed zucchini, and diced potatoes into the vegetable mixture. Continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the ingredients to release their aromatic essence.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and vegetable broth. Season with dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Elevate the heat to generate a gentle simmer and allow the soup to develop its robust flavors for 15 minutes.
- Gently introduce pasta into the bubbling liquid, stirring to prevent sticking. Reduce heat and let the pasta cook until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, typically 10-12 minutes.
- Once pasta is tender and vegetables are thoroughly cooked, remove from heat. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, creating a vibrant and hearty meal.
- Enhance the presentation by scattering freshly torn basil leaves across the surface, adding a final touch of aromatic freshness before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh, seasonal vegetables for the most vibrant and flavorful soup base.
- Customize the protein by adding pre-cooked diced chicken or keeping it vegetarian with plant-based options.
- Choose small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells to ensure even cooking and better texture throughout the soup.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, knowing the pasta will continue to absorb liquid, so you might need to add extra broth when reheating.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg