**Minestrone: A Hearty and Versatile Italian Soup**
Minestrone is a classic Italian soup that is known for its versatility and hearty flavor. Made with a base of vegetables, beans, and pasta, minestrone can be customized to include a variety of different ingredients, making it a great way to use up leftover vegetables or pantry staples. This hearty soup is a great way to warm up on a cold day. It is cooked with a combination of Italian vegetables, legumes, and pasta and is simmered in a flavorful broth. Minestrone is typically made with fresh or dried vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Common beans and legumes used include cannellini beans, kidney beans, and lentils. Various types of pasta can be added including small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow macaroni, or larger shapes like penne or rigatoni. The soup can also be made with different types of broth, such as chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth. Some variations of minestrone may also include meat or sausage for added flavor and protein. This versatile soup can be served as a main course or as a side dish, and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
HEARTY MINESTRONE SOUP
This fresh-tasting minestrone soup gets its zesty flavor from Italian sausage. When you want to use up your garden bounty of zucchini, try this recipe. If your family likes food extra spicy, use hot bulk Italian sausage instead. -Donna Smith, Fairport, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 55m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, cook the sausage until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towel to drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of drippings. Saute celery and onion in drippings for 5 minutes. Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 224 calories, Fat 16g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 901mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 10g protein.
MAMA KATHY'S MINESTRONE
This is a tasty and filling soup for those cold winter nights. The mix of the vegetables tastes wonderful. Make homemade baked bread and you will have a winter's delight.
Provided by KHAJEK
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Minestrone
Time 1h40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place the beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease.
- Transfer beef, onion, and garlic to a large pot. Mix in tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, peas, carrots, spinach, bouillon cube, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water or tomato sauce as needed.
- Stir macaroni into the soup. Season with Italian seasoning. Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until macaroni is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.1 calories, Carbohydrate 40.7 g, Cholesterol 69 mg, Fat 14.9 g, Fiber 8.6 g, Protein 28.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 1031.6 mg, Sugar 12.1 g
HEARTY MINESTRONE
"This is my all-time favorite soup. I love make big batches and freeze some for later. This hearty dish reminds me of spaghetti and sauce in soup form!" -Katie Koziolek of Hartland, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 1h5m
Yield 2 batches (6 servings each).
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook the pork, celery and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Stir in the tomatoes, beans, tomato juice, tomato sauce, broth, carrots, zucchini, Italian seasoning, salt, sugar if desired and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until carrots are tender. , Transfer 6 cups of soup to a freezer container; cool. Freeze for up to 3 months. Add water and pasta to remaining soup; bring to a boil. Cover and cook until pasta is tender. , To use frozen soup: Thaw in the refrigerator; transfer to a large saucepan. Stir in water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add pasta; cover and cook until tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 242 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 853mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 15g protein.
Tips:
- Use a variety of vegetables: The more vegetables you use, the more flavorful your minestrone will be. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, zucchini, green beans, and tomatoes. You can also add in some leafy greens, such as spinach or kale.
- Don't be afraid to experiment: Minestrone is a very versatile soup, so feel free to add in any vegetables or beans that you like. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to create a unique flavor.
- Cook the soup in a slow cooker: This is a great way to let the flavors develop and meld together. Simply add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread or crackers: This will help to soak up the delicious broth.
Conclusion:
Minestrone is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make a delicious pot of minestrone that your whole family will enjoy.
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