Best 3 Best Minestrone Recipes

Minestrone is an Italian soup, thick, hearty, flavorful, rustic, versatile, and infinitely variable dish that has been a staple of the Italian kitchen since the Middle Ages. Made with fresh, seasonal vegetables, beans, and pasta or rice, it is a great way to use up leftovers and vegetables that need using up. The soup is typically simmered for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. There are many different recipes for minestrone, each with its own unique combination of vegetables, beans, and pasta. Some common ingredients include carrots, celery, onions, garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, beans, pasta, and herbs. Minestrone can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is often served with crusty bread or a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Whether comforting in cold weather or refreshing on a warm day, there’s no denying that minestrone is delicious any time of year! And with many variations to try, we're sure you'll find a recipe you'll love. So, grab your apron and let's get cooking!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

THE BEST MINESTRONE

The Best Minestrone image

While it's positively packed with vegetables, this soup is still hearty and filling. We rendered the fat from pancetta and used it to cook the vegetables to add more depth of flavor. The addition of white beans and pasta help make it a meal.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
3 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 large celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely grated
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces small Yukon potatoes, quartered
1 large zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
One 14-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
4 cups packed curly kale leaves, torn
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans plus liquid
1/2 cup dry ditalini or other small pasta shape
Grated Parmesan, for serving

Steps:

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the meat is golden brown on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the pancetta with a slotted spoon to a large bowl, leaving the fat in the pot.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the potatoes and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Return the pancetta to the pot, stir in the tomatoes and 8 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just tender, about 20 minutes.
Add the kale, beans and their liquid and pasta and continue to cook until the pasta is cooked through and the kale is tender, about 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and season with more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve with grated Parmesan.

BEST MINESTRONE SOUP

BEST MINESTRONE SOUP image

Categories Vegetable

Yield 4 - 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 tbsp oil
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup chopped onion
2 cups shredded spinach
1 can diced tomatoes
fresh haricots verts
2 qt water
4 tsp better than bouillon
15 oz can pinto beans
jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 bay leaf
3 tbls chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp basil
4 slices turkey bacon, diced
2 cups elbow macaroni
salt and pepper
parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat oil in soup pan. Cook carrots, onion and spinach 5 minutes. Add water, cubes, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, green beans, bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste. In blender, puree parsley, garlic, basil and bacon. Stir into soup. Cover, bring to boil, cook over low heat for 45 minutes. Add macaroni and cook, uncovered, 15 minutes more, or until macaroni is tender. Serve with parmesan.

BEST DARN MINESTRONE SOUP AROUND

Best Darn Minestrone Soup Around image

This is a recipe for a Minestrone Soup that is very similar to Lelli's Minestrone soup here in Detroit. Make sure you use a large stock pot, because this recipe is big. SIMPLY AMAZING!

Provided by Chef Ron

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Minestrone

Time 2h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

8 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups chopped onions
4 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
4 (15 ounce) cans mixed vegetables, with liquid
2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, with liquid
2 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid
1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 ¼ teaspoons garlic powder
4 teaspoons dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup canned garbanzo beans, drained
4 cups heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Steps:

In a large stock pot over medium heat, stir and cook onions in butter until soft. Add broth, mixed vegetables, kidney beans, tomatoes, spinach, and tomato paste; simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours.
Using a slotted spoon, remove about half of the vegetables to a blender or food processor, reserving liquid in stock pot. Puree the vegetables until smooth and return them to stock pot.
Stir in garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper, basil, macaroni, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, garbanzo beans, and heavy cream; cook for 1/2 hour, stirring frequently. Pour into bowls and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 587.2 calories, Carbohydrate 43.4 g, Cholesterol 138.2 mg, Fat 40.6 g, Fiber 13.5 g, Protein 15.5 g, SaturatedFat 24.4 g, Sodium 1591.5 mg, Sugar 4.4 g

Tips:

Use a variety of fresh vegetables for the best flavor. Aim for a mix of textures, such as hearty root vegetables, tender greens, and sweet alliums.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different beans and grains. While cannellini beans and pearl barley are classic choices, you can also use other beans like chickpeas, black beans, or lentils, and grains like farro or brown rice.
Season the soup well. Minestrone should have a flavorful broth, so don't be shy with the salt, pepper, and herbs. You can also add a touch of red pepper flakes or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Let the soup simmer for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you have time. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
Serve the soup hot with a crusty bread or a side salad.

Conclusion:

Minestrone is a delicious and versatile soup that's perfect for a quick and easy meal. With its healthy mix of vegetables, beans, and grains, it's a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. Plus, it's a soup that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and flavorful soup, give minestrone a try. You won't be disappointed.