If you are looking for a hearty and healthy soup recipe, look no further than minestrone! This classic Italian soup is packed with veggies, beans, and pasta, making it a filling and nutritious meal. Plus, it's easy to customize with your favorite ingredients. In this article, we'll provide you with a delicious recipe for minestrone that you can make at home.
Ingredients
To make minestrone, you will need the following ingredients: - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 onion, diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 2 carrots, diced - 2 stalks celery, diced - 1 zucchini, diced - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces - 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces) - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 can kidney beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed - 1 can cannellini beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed - 1 teaspoon dried basil - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper, to taste - 1 cup small pasta (such as macaroni or ditalini) - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
Here's how to make minestrone soup: 1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. 2. Add the carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans to the pot. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften. 3. Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, kidney beans, cannellini beans, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. 4. Add the pasta to the pot and cook for another 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. 5. Serve the minestrone hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
This minestrone recipe makes about 8 servings. Each serving contains approximately: - 275 calories - 11g protein - 49g carbohydrates - 5g fat - 10g fiber - 8g sugar Minestrone is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Plus, it's low in fat and high in fiber, which makes it a filling and nutritious meal.
Variations
One of the best things about minestrone is that you can customize it to your liking. Here are some variations you can try: - Swap out the vegetables: Use whatever vegetables you have on hand or prefer. Some other options include bell peppers, potatoes, spinach, and kale. - Add meat: Brown some ground beef or Italian sausage and add it to the soup for extra protein. - Use different beans: You can use any type of canned beans you like, such as chickpeas or black beans. - Use different pasta: You can use any small pasta for this recipe, or even break up spaghetti or fettuccine into small pieces. - Add herbs and spices: Minestrone is a great soup to experiment with different herbs and spices. Try adding some red pepper flakes, thyme, or rosemary for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Minestrone is a classic Italian soup that is easy to make and packed with nutrients. This recipe is a great starting point, but feel free to experiment with different vegetables, beans, and spices to make it your own. Serve it with some crusty bread and you have a delicious and satisfying meal.
