Best 7 Hunters Minestrone Adapted To Be A Bit More Healthy Recipes

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Welcome to the delightful world of hearty and healthy Italian soups! In this article, we present a collection of three flavorful minestrone recipes, each offering a unique twist on the classic Italian dish. From the traditional Hunter's Minestrone, brimming with savory meats and vegetables, to the hearty Tuscan Minestrone, packed with fresh flavors and wholesome ingredients, and the Minestrone alla Genovese, where pesto adds a vibrant touch to the soup, these recipes promise a culinary adventure you won't soon forget. With detailed instructions and tips for each recipe, cooking up a delicious and nutritious minestrone has never been easier. So, get ready to warm your hearts and tantalize your taste buds with these delectable Italian soups.

**Hunter's Minestrone:** Indulge in the rich and rustic flavors of this traditional minestrone, featuring tender cuts of beef, succulent sausage, and a medley of colorful vegetables simmered in a savory broth.

**Tuscan Minestrone:** Experience the essence of Tuscany in this hearty and wholesome soup, brimming with fresh vegetables, tender beans, and a hint of aromatic herbs.

**Minestrone alla Genovese:** Unveil the vibrant flavors of Liguria with this unique minestrone, where the addition of pesto adds a layer of complexity and freshness, elevating the soup to new heights of deliciousness.

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

HUNTER'S MINESTRONE



Hunter's Minestrone image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 quarts chicken stock
1 head garlic, halved
1/2 pound small rigatoni
Extra-virgin olive oil
8 fresh sage leaves
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 sprig fresh thyme
3/4 pound loose sweet Italian pork sausage
2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery ribs, roughly chopped
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 (28-ounce) can crushed plum tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 (28-ounce) cans cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 bunch fresh parsley leaves, finely minced
Coarsely ground black pepper
12 slices baguette
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Steps:

  • Combine the stock and halved garlic head in a big saucepan and simmer for about 15 minutes to give the stock a nice, garlicky taste; strain out the garlic. Keep warm.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to boil for the rigatoni.
  • Pour 1/4 cup olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the sage, rosemary and thyme and warm the oil over medium heat to infuse it with the flavor of the herbs, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the sausage with the side of a big spoon until well browned. Chop the carrots, celery, and onion in a food processor. Add to the saucepan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned.
  • To the pan with the sausage stir in the crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, cannelloni beans, and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Cook the rigatoni in the boiling water for 6 minutes; it should be slightly underdone. Drain and stir into the simmering soup. Add the parsley, and salt and coarsely ground black pepper, to taste. Discard the bay leaf and herb sprigs.
  • To serve, preheat the broiler. Put the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the Parmigiano and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls and float a couple of the baguette slices on top.

HUNTER'S MINESTRONE (ADAPTED TO BE A BIT MORE HEALTHY)



Hunter's Minestrone (Adapted to Be a Bit More Healthy) image

Tyler's ultimate recipe. I'm adding it mostly because I want the nutritional content as I've adapted it. It's really tasty and filling. Spinach or other greens would be good stirred in and I also add some crushed red pepper flakes for an added layer of flavor.

Provided by annmarie

Categories     European

Time 1h

Yield 10 cups, 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 quarts chicken stock
1 head garlic, halved
1/2 lb rigatoni pasta
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
sage leaf
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 sprig fresh thyme
3/4 lb sweet Italian turkey sausage
2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery ribs, roughly chopped
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 (28 ounce) can crushed plum tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1 (28 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 bunch fresh parsley leaves, finely minced
fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Combine the stock and halved garlic head in a big saucepan and simmer for about 15 minutes to give the stock a nice, garlicky taste; strain out the garlic. Keep warm.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to boil for the rigatoni.
  • Pour 1 teaspoon olive oil and add Pam spray to a large saucepan. Add about eight sage leaves, rosemary and thyme and warm the oil over medium heat to infuse it with the flavor of the herbs, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sausage (taken out of the casing) and cook, breaking up the sausage with the side of a big spoon until well browned. Chop the carrots, celery, and onion in a food processor. Add to the saucepan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned.
  • To the pan with the sausage stir in the crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, cannelloni beans, and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Add the parsley, and salt and coarsely ground black pepper, to taste. Discard the bay leaf and herb sprigs.
  • Cook the rigatoni (or whatever other small pasta you like) in the boiling water for 6 minutes; it should be slightly underdone. Drain.
  • Add some rigatoni to the bottom of the bowl, pour soup over, and then top with a bit of cheese.
  • I keep the pasta in a separate container in the fridge, so that it doesn't absorb all of the broth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 379.9, Fat 8, SaturatedFat 2.6, Cholesterol 44.9, Sodium 755, Carbohydrate 54.9, Fiber 8.3, Sugar 6.1, Protein 23.8

HAMBURGER MINESTRONE SOUP (SOUTH BEACH DIET)



Hamburger Minestrone Soup (South Beach Diet) image

I came across this recipe for minestrone, adapted for the South Beach Diet, on the 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet boards a few years ago. It's become a family favorite since. It makes quite a lot of soup, but it reheats well. If making this for the South Beach Diet, watch out for added sugar in the tomatoes and beans-- a lot of canned beans and tomato products have sugar added to them. You can also substitute very lean ground turkey and chicken broth for the beef.

Provided by Halcyon Eve

Categories     Beans

Time 50m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb extra lean ground beef (less than 10% fat)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 quart reduced-sodium fat-free beef broth
6 cups water
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice, undrained (no sugar added)
2 cups finely shredded cabbage (I use bagged coleslaw salad mix to save time)
2 stalks celery, diced
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or canneloni or great northern beans, no sugar added)
2 tablespoons italian seasoning
1 -2 garlic clove, minced
salt & pepper
parmesan cheese, for garnish

Steps:

  • Brown beef ovr medium heat in a 6-quart soup pot and drain (rinse in hot water, drain, and return to pot, if desired).
  • Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is tender.
  • Add remaining ingredients (except cheese) and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  • Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, if desired.

ALICE WATERS'S SEASONAL MINESTRONE



Alice Waters's Seasonal Minestrone image

Alice Waters often recommends that cooks master a good minestrone. It's communal and seasonal, two pillars on which she has built her cooking career. This summer recipe came from the cookbook that is her top seller: "The Art of Simple Food." It uses the best of the season's green beans, tomatoes and squash. In the spring, fresh peas, asparagus and spinach would make a good vegetable trio, with some fennel standing in for the carrot in the sofrito. In the fall, cubes of butternut squash, a small can of tomatoes and a bunch of kale would star, with rosemary and a little chopped sage instead of thyme for seasoning. Winter might bring a soup built from turnips, potatoes and cabbage. If the turnips have greens, add them, too. Start with a large pot that has a heavy bottom. Always cook the vegetables through, about 10 minutes. They should look good enough to eat on their own. Add the beans about 10 minutes before serving. A cup or two of cooked pasta can be stirred in at the last minute. Don't overcook the pasta. The olive oil and cheese garnish should be added once the soup is in the bowls. Ms. Waters likes to pass those at the table, once everyone is served. Pesto makes a lovely garnish, too, and gives a garlicky, herbal punch to the soup.

Provided by Kim Severson

Categories     dinner, for two, lunch, soups and stews

Time 2h45m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup dried cannellini or other white beans
¼ cup olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
5 thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 small leek, white part only, diced
½ pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
1 medium zucchini, cut into small dice
2 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 cups spinach, coarsely chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Pesto, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Soak the beans overnight in a large pot, covered by several inches of water.
  • The next day, simmer the beans 2 hours or until tender. Drain and set aside, reserving the cooking water.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook for about 10 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Add the garlic, thyme, bay leaf and salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes longer.
  • Add 3 cups water and bring to a low boil. When boiling, add the leek and green beans. After 5 minutes, add the zucchini and tomatoes. After 15 minutes, add the spinach and beans and cook for 5 more minutes. If the soup is too thick, add water (reserved bean water is good).
  • Remove the bay leaf and bare thyme sticks and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve in bowls, each garnished with grated Parmesan cheese or pesto.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 187, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 25 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 393 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

VEGETABLE MINESTRONE



Vegetable Minestrone image

My husband and I created this recipe to replicate the minestrone soup at our favorite Italian restaurant. It's nice to have this ready to eat for our evening meal on days when we have a real busy schedule. To make the soup vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of beef.-Alice Peacock, Grandview, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 6h45m

Yield 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) beef broth
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, shredded
3/4 cup tomato juice
1 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup frozen cut green beans, thawed
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1/2 cup small shell pasta
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 11 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until vegetables are tender. , Stir in the green beans, spinach and pasta. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 181 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 1027mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 8g fiber), Protein 12g protein.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE



Classic Minestrone image

This beloved Italian soup isn't just hearty and healthy -- it's really flexible. Minestrone typically includes lots of leafy greens, other veggies, and beans. Which to choose? You're only limited by the contents of your refrigerator and pantry.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Soups, Stews & Stocks     Soup Recipes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving (optional)
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 large celery stalk, diced
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 can (14.5 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
1 large potato, peeled and diced
1/4 head Savoy or green cabbage (1/2 pound), cored and thinly sliced
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil, plus torn leaves for serving (optional)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion, carrots, celery, red-pepper flakes, rosemary, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to turn golden, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes; cook until some of the liquid evaporates, 1 minute. Add potato, cabbage, cannellini beans, and 7 cups water; bring to a boil. Stir in green beans.
  • Reduce to a simmer, and cook until all the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; stir in garlic, if using, and basil. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan and, if using, torn basil. Drizzle with more oil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 g, Fat 8 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 8 g

MINESTRONE WITH FRESH HERBS



Minestrone with Fresh Herbs image

Our Minestrone has an array of vegetables, including tomatoes, carrots, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and cranberry beans; additional color comes from red and green pasta shells.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Soups, Stews & Stocks     Soup Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 medium shallot, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh marjoram
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 stalk celery, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 medium carrots, (about 5 ounces), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 eggplant, (about 14 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, (about 7 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 zucchini, (about 8 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, or low-sodium canned
2 fourteen-and-a-half-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes
1 cup canned cranberry beans, drained and rinsed
6 ounces colored pasta shells, cooked
Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • In a stockpot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onion, shallot, garlic, pepper, oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, celery, and carrots; saute, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and translucent, about 8 minutes.
  • Add eggplant, red pepper, and zucchini; saute until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes more. Add chicken stock and canned tomatoes, and bring to a boil, stirring to break up the tomatoes. Reduce heat to low, and let simmer until vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes. Add beans and pasta; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes more. Serve immediately, sprinkled with Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 278 g, Cholesterol 1 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 13 g, Sodium 874 g

Tips:

  • To make the soup healthier, use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. You can also use low-sodium canned beans and diced tomatoes to reduce the sodium content.
  • Add more vegetables to the soup to make it even more nutritious. Some good options include carrots, celery, and spinach.
  • If you want a thicker soup, puree some of the vegetables before adding them to the pot. You can also add a cornstarch slurry or a roux to thicken the soup.
  • Serve the soup with a side of whole-wheat bread or a salad to make a complete meal.

Conclusion:

This Hunter's Minestrone soup is a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a relatively healthy soup, as it is made with lean ground turkey, vegetables, and beans. With a few simple modifications, this soup can be made even healthier without sacrificing any of its flavor.

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