Hearty Minestrone Soup

Posted on November 16, 2013
Hi Everyone! I hope you’re all having a good weekend so far! I started my Christmas shopping today, thinking I was getting an early start, only to find out that everybody else was thinking the same thing! I couldn’t believe how packed all the stores and parking lots were! It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is beginning already! I love everything about this time of year; all the festivities, the decorating, the shopping, the chilly weather and all the cooking and baking, of course! And today, I have a super easy, delicious and comforting recipe to share with you! I am a HUGE soup lover, and could literally eat soup every single day. I love cooking soups too, not only because they are so comforting and satisfying on a cold day, but because you can make a large pot and feed lots of people, or freeze some to have on hand on a busy day. All you need is some fresh bread or rolls, or some salad to go with it, and you have a complete dinner! This Minestrone soup is one of my favorites, it doesn’t need to simmer on the stove for hours and hours, in fact it comes together pretty quickly, and it’s so delicious! It’s filled with lots of different vegetables, beans and pasta, which you could change up according to your taste or whatever is in season, and you could add some cooked shredded chicken or even sprinkle some crispy bacon or pancetta on top to finish it off! The perfect dinner for a cold night in!
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HEARTY MINESTRONE SOUP
(Adapted from BHG)
*Serves 6 – 8*
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YOU WILL NEED
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 ribs of celery, diced
3 small carrots, diced
1 medium sized zucchini, diced
1/2 cup green beans (fresh or frozen)
2 tbs olive oil
1 15oz can Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 large cans (45oz) crushed tomatoes
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup pasta
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt & Pepper
Sugar
Grated Parmesan Cheese
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DIRECTIONS
1. First, dice your onion and cook it in olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the onion is translucent, add the minced garlic and cook for a minute or so. Add in the chopped carrots and celery, and cook for a couple of minutes, until they’ve softened a little bit. Then, add in the diced zucchini (and green beans, if you are using fresh green beans. If you are using frozen ones, add them in once you add in the pasta later on) and season everything with salt, pepper and dried oregano. Cook for another couple of minutes, stirring the vegetables occasionally.

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2. Next, add in the chicken broth (use vegetable broth if you want a vegetarian soup), diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes, and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 10 – 15 minutes. Then, add in the pasta (I used Campanelle, but you can use any small pasta, and if you don’t want your soup very thick, only add about 1/4 cup of pasta), beans (drained and rinsed) and the frozen green beans if you are using those instead of the fresh green beans. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until all the vegetables have softened and the pasta is cooked. (If the soup seems too thick to you, just add more chicken broth and adjust the seasoning.) Serve with grated parmesan cheese and fresh bread.

Happy Cooking, Everyone!

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  • Senka I November 18, 2013 at 7:47 am

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  • Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon November 18, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    I love a good minestrone. This looks delish.

  • Pudel-design November 18, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    Looks so delicious!
    Thank you so much for your lovely comment!
    Lydia

  • Bonnie November 19, 2013 at 10:42 am

    Just pinned this recipe. Can’t wait to make it. Thank you.

  • Jamie/Maryland Quilter November 19, 2013 at 11:33 am

    Just the recipe I was looking for! My daughter won’t eat her vegies but loves a good soup. Thanks for sharing it:)

  • marty (A Stroll Thru Life) November 19, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Oh Yum, thanks for the recipe and Thanks so much for linking ot Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

  • Heather Kinnaird November 19, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    Minestrone is my favorite! looks Delicious maria

  • Jocelyn November 20, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    I love a good hearty soup!! This looks so delicious!! 🙂

  • Jen Nikolaus November 21, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    I am a huge soup lover too! Minestrone is one of my faves. This recipes looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing on Saturday Night Fever – pinning!

  • Dee November 22, 2013 at 12:54 am

    Oh yum! Looks and sounds delicious! Dee 🙂

  • Michael Salomon November 22, 2013 at 7:45 am

    awesome post modern living room design

  • Kim Seghers November 22, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    I love Minestrone soup ! I ‘m so glad I came across your recipe.
    I pinned your recipe I plan on making this soup soon.
    Kim
    http://www.thisolemom.com

  • Couscous & Consciousness November 24, 2013 at 12:02 am

    We love a good minestrone around here – it’s so hearty and comforting on a cold day. Your’s looks wonderful.

  • Winnie November 25, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    Woww this soup looks so rich and tempting
    I LOVE soup (winter or summer) and it’s one of my favorites

  • Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above November 25, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    I will have to make this for my husband. This is his favorite soup. Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday’s Adorned Link Party. We love seeing you here. Have a great week.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com

  • Counter Culture Living December 2, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    I’ve been looking for a good minestrone recipe. Looks awesome. I love your pictures on the site, by the way!

  • Katie Umbenhauer December 4, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    I noticed there is sugar in the ingredient list but I can’t seem to find where it’s supposed to be added in the directions. Help?

    • Maria December 6, 2013 at 12:39 am

      You can add in the sugar if the soup seems a little too acidic just to balance out the flavors at the end. Hope you love it!

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