Minestrone, a classic Italian soup, is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. With its roots in peasant cooking, this versatile soup is packed with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta, and can be customized to suit your own taste preferences. Whether you prefer a vegetarian version or one with meat, there is a minestrone recipe out there for everyone. In this article, we will explore two variations of this timeless dish: a traditional Minestrone alla Genovese and a Minestrone di verdure, a vegetarian version that is just as flavorful and satisfying. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be tailored to your liking, making them perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekend meals. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on a culinary journey to savor the comforting goodness of minestrone.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CONTEST-WINNING EASY MINESTRONE
This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it's one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it's full of nutrition and low in fat. -Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h5m
Yield 11 servings (2-3/4 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, saute the carrots, celery and onion in oil and butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the broth, tomato sauce, beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, parsley, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add macaroni; cook, uncovered, 6-8 minutes or until macaroni and vegetables are tender., Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with cheese. Freeze option: Before adding cheese, freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 180 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 443mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ITALIAN MINESTRONE SOUP
Nothing says more "comfort food" than thick, creamy Minestrone Soup.Italian Minestrone soup is made with seasonal veggies, legumes and small pasta shape or rice.
Provided by Italian Recipe Book
Categories Soup
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large pot add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, roughly chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic clove, and pancetta cubes. Sautee on medium heat for a few minutes stirring a couple of times in the process.
- Add potatoes, butternut squash, tomatoes, bay leaf, rosemary sprigs and a couple of pinches of salt.
- Give a nice stir and add enough water to cover all the veggies.Bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for 40 minutes. Add more liquid if needed.
- Past this time veggies will become super soft and will "melt" one into another creating delicious creamy texture.
- Once veggies are cooked add chopped savoy cabbage or other leafy greens and drained canned beans. Add more water if needed. Give a nice stir and cook for another 15 minutes.
- As a last step, add pasta or rice. Let cook for 5-15 more minutes depending on how long pasta or rice will take to cook.
- If you're not planning to serve minestrone right away, don't add pasta or rice immediately.Instead, bring the soup to a boil when you're ready to serve it and then add pasta or rice.
- Minestrone is ready to serve when pasta (rice) is cooked. I takes about 5-6 minutes for ditalini pasta and about 15 minutes for rice.
- Serve hot or warm generously topped with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP
Minestrone is a hearty, traditional Italian soup typically made with beans, pasta and lots of vegetables. Enjoy the slow-cooked flavor in just about 30 minutes.
Provided by College Inn® Broths and Stocks
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips College Inn® Broths and Stocks
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook onion, carrot, celery, garlic and rosemary until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in tomato sauce, beans and 2 1/2 cups water. Add broth, zucchini, pasta and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in parsley. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese and additional parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.3 calories, Carbohydrate 38.6 g, Cholesterol 0.3 mg, Fat 4.8 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 9.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 1220.5 mg, Sugar 5.9 g
MINESTRONE SOUP
Cook up a pot of Ellie Krieger's healthy Minestrone Soup from Food Network, loaded with fresh veggies, pasta and herbs.
Provided by Ellie Krieger
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the celery and carrot and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the green beans, dried oregano and basil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; cook 3 more minutes.
- Add the diced and crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the kidney beans and pasta and cook until the pasta and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Ladle into bowls and top with the parmesan and chopped basil.
JAMIE'S MINESTRONE
I created this soup after becoming tired of the excess salt and lack of veggies in canned minestrone. I recalled a great bowl of minestrone that was overflowing with rich vegetables at the 'Sheepherder's Inn' in Sacramento, California. Great with a hearty bread, romaine salad and a nice Merlot!
Provided by Jamie
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Minestrone
Time 1h25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- In a large stock pot, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and saute garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add celery and carrots, saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, water and tomato sauce, bring to boil, stirring frequently. If desired add red wine at this point. Reduce heat to low and add kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, the longer the better.
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain water and set aside.
- Once pasta is cooked and soup is heated through place 2 tablespoons cooked pasta into individual serving bowls. Ladle soup on top of pasta and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Spray with olive oil and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 227.5 calories, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 1.1 mg, Fat 8.3 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 8.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 1142 mg, Sugar 11.3 g
CLASSIC MINESTRONE
This famous Italian soup has been much imitated around the world with very different results. The homemade version is a delicious revelation and is also extremely healthy, as it has pasta, beans and fresh vegetables. Try to make the minestrone a day early and refrigerate as this improves the flavors. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Provided by Anonymous
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Minestrone
Time 1h15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Add leek, carrots, zucchini, green beans and celery. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
- Stir in the stock, tomatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil, then replace the lid, and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 30 minutes.
- Stir in the cannellini beans with liquid and pasta. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Carbohydrate 44.5 g, Fat 12 g, Fiber 10.1 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 470.9 mg, Sugar 7.8 g
CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP
Whip up this classic Italian vegetable soup with a rich tomato base and pasta. It's low in calories and packed with fibre and vitamin C
Provided by Esther Clark
Categories Lunch, Starter
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan or casserole pot over a low-medium heat and gently fry the onion, celery, carrot, courgette and pancetta for 10 mins. Add the garlic and oregano, and cook for 1 min. Tip in the beans, chopped tomatoes, purée, stock and bay leaf. Season to taste. Bring to the simmer and cook for 30 mins.
- Add the pasta and greens, and cook for a further 10 mins. Ladle into bowls and scatter with the basil and some parmesan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 225 calories, Fat 10 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 22 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 7 grams fiber, Protein 9 grams protein, Sodium 0.98 milligram of sodium
Tips for Making the Best Minestrone
- Use a variety of vegetables. The more vegetables you use, the more flavorful your soup will be. Some good choices include carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, green beans, potatoes, and tomatoes.
- Don't be afraid to use frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables, and they can save you time and money.
- Use a good quality olive oil. Olive oil adds a delicious flavor to minestrone.
- Use a flavorful broth. Chicken broth, beef broth, or vegetable broth can all be used to make minestrone. Choose a broth that you enjoy the taste of.
- Season the soup to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You may also want to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little spice.
- Let the soup simmer for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop.
- Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of olive oil.
Conclusion
Minestrone is a delicious, healthy, and versatile soup that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and it is also a perfect meal for a cold winter day. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a minestrone recipe that everyone will love.
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