Minestrone Soup
Served with your go-to crusty bread, this veggie-packed minestrone soup is light and fresh yet makes a hearty and satisfying vegetarian meal. Made with protein-packed cannellini and kidney beans, your favourite pasta and a garlicky, tomato-based broth, this soup is a crowd-pleaser any time of year. And it's on the healthier side too!
Equipment
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 2 medium-sized carrots trimmed and sliced
- 1 green zucchini trimmed and roughly chopped
- 1 stalk celery trimmed and sliced
- 1 cup cannellini beans
- 1 cup red kidney beans
- 2-3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 lb Roma tomatoes diced or 1 280ml (10 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup pasta shells or another small pasta of your choice
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 4 tablespoons fresh basil shredded
- Kosher or fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot on medium-low heat. Add onion and cook gently for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste, zucchini, carrots, celery, beans, garlic, basil and oregano. Mix well and continue to cook for 10 minutes turning over from time to time to keep the veggies from sticking to the pot.
- Stir in tomatoes, pasta and vegetable stock. Turn up temperature and bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork. If you find the broth to be a little too thick add a bit more stock or water to thin.
- Remove pot from heat and stir in spinach and half the Parmesan – the spinach will wilt quickly with no additional cook time required. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Transfer to serving bowls, sprinkle with shredded basil and remaining Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Make ahead: This soup can be made a day in advance or in the morning. Cook all ingredients except the pasta and keep well-covered. When ready to serve, stir in pasta and simmer on medium-low heat until pasta reaches desired texture (about 10 minutes for al dente).
Storage: Minestrone makes great leftovers and is ideal for meal-prepped lunches. Store as individual servings in well-sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. If you know in advance that you will be freezing the minestrone, for best results I recommend that you reserve the pasta until ready to reheat then cook as above.