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Tasty Minestrone

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Minestrone is a classic Italian vegetable soup filled with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta, all simmered in a flavorful broth. It’s versatile, hearty, and nutritious, perfect for a cozy meal or a crowd-pleasing dinner.

Ingredients

  1. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  2. 1 medium onion, chopped
  3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  4. 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  5. 2 celery stalks, diced
  6. 1 medium zucchini, diced
  7. 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  8. 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
  9. 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  10. 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or white beans)
  11. 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed (optional)
  12. 1/2 cup small pasta (like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or farfalle)
  13. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  14. 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  15. 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
  16. Salt and pepper, to taste
  17. 2 cups spinach or kale, chopped (optional)
  18. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
  19. Fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

  1. Add garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
  2. Stir in diced tomatoes with their juice, cooking for 2 minutes. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  3. Add kidney beans (or white beans), chickpeas (if using), pasta, oregano, basil, thyme, and salt and pepper. Simmer for another 10-12 minutes until pasta is al dente.
  4. Stir in spinach or kale (if using) and cook until wilted, 2-3 minutes. Add lemon juice for extra brightness and taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Serve with fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese and a slice of crusty bread.

Notes

  • If using frozen vegetables, add them directly to the soup but reduce the cooking time slightly as they cook faster than fresh vegetables.
  • For a low-carb version, omit the pasta and add extra beans or vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini noodles.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make the soup gluten-free, and ensure the broth is gluten-free if needed.
  • For a richer flavor, add ground meat like sausage or pancetta at the beginning, sautéing it with the vegetables.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/tasty-minestrone/