Easy Minestrone Soup
Our favorite Minestrone Soup recipe! It’s brimming with fresh vegetables, a savory broth, and you get an enticing flavor boost from a bit of pancetta. A simple soup that’s just what you need after a long chilly day.
#FallFaves #Healthy #PastaItalian #Soups #Carrots #Celery #ChickenBroth #Garlic #KidneyBeans #OliveOil #Pancetta #ParmesanCheese #Rosemary #Spinach #Tomatoes #YellowOnion #Zucchini
Prep: 15 minutes.
Cook: 30 minutes.
Ready in: 40 minutes.
Ingredients:
1: 4 oz. pancetta*, diced into 1/4-inch pieces.
2: 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
3: 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (1 medium).
4: 3/4 cup chopped carrot (1 large).
5: 3/4 cup thin sliced celery (2 ribs).
6: 1 Tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves).
7: 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth.
8: 1/2 cup water or more broth.
9: 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes.
10: 1 small zucchini, diced (1 cup).
11: 1 rosemary sprig.
12: 1 small parmesan rind (about 4-inches), plus shredded parmesan for serving.
13: Salt and freshly ground black pepper.
14: 2 cups (2 oz) fresh spinach, roughly chopped.
15: 1 (14.5 oz) can dark red kidney beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed.
16: Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional).
Instructions:
1: Heat pancetta with olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Cook until just lightly browned, about 4 - 5 minutes.
2: Add onion, carrot and celery and saute until starting to soften, about 7 minutes.
3: Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.
4: Pour in broth, water, tomatoes, and add zucchini, rosemary, and parmesan rind.
5: Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring once halfway through, about 10 minutes total or until zucchini is tender.
6: Remove rosemary and parmesan rind. Season to taste with salt and pepper (you shouldn't need much salt, it's already fairly salty).
7: Stir in kidney beans and spinach and let heat through, about 30 seconds. For a brothier soup you can add in a little more broth to thin as desired.
8: Serve warm with shredded parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes: *This is an Italian pork. I buy it at the deli counter, Boar's Head brand is a good option. Ask for it thick cut, about 1/4-inch thick.
Try it with other vegetables you may have on hand, minestrone is so versatile. Here are some good options (add more broth to thin and more fresh herbs to season as desired):
asparagus
broccoli
butternut squash
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower
celery
eggplant
fennel
green beans
kale
mushrooms
onions
parsnips
peas
potatoes
tomatoes
yellow squash
zucchini
Other Herbs to Try
Basil
Marjoram
Oregano
Thyme
Parsley
...read more
