Description
Hearty winter minestrone soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its rich blend of vegetables, beans, and aromatic herbs. Comfort flows through each spoonful, inviting you to savor Italian-inspired comfort during cold months.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled & chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 small zucchini, chopped
- 1 small sweet potato, diced
- 2 cups kale or Swiss chard, chopped
Protein and Base:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable broth
- ½ cup (60 grams) small pasta (ditalini or elbow)
Canned Goods and Seasonings:
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Garnish:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Prepare a robust cooking vessel and warm olive oil over medium heat, creating a fragrant base for the winter minestrone.
- Introduce aromatic vegetables including onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot, gently sautéing until they soften and release their essential flavors, approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate zucchini, sweet potato, diced tomatoes, broth, and a medley of herbs and spices – oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes – allowing the ingredients to meld together.
- Elevate the temperature to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, letting the vegetables tenderize and develop deep, rich flavors for about 20 minutes.
- Carefully fold in cannellini beans and pasta, continuing to cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture.
- Introduce robust greens like kale or Swiss chard, allowing them to wilt gracefully into the soup for an additional 2 minutes, adding a final layer of nutritional complexity.
- Transfer the steaming minestrone into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, delicate herbs, and accompanying crusty bread for a complete winter comfort meal.
Notes
- Choose sturdy vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes that hold their shape during long cooking, preventing mushy texture.
- Swap cannellini beans with chickpeas or kidney beans for different protein variations and exciting flavor profiles.
- Add depth by sautéing vegetables longer until slightly caramelized, which intensifies their natural sweetness and creates a richer soup base.
- Keep pasta al dente by adding it later in the cooking process, preventing overcooking and maintaining perfect texture throughout the soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg