Minestrone soup is a hearty and flavorful Italian soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is made with a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta, and it is simmered in a flavorful broth. Minestrone soup is a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and it is also a very affordable meal to make.
The best thing about minestrone soup is that it is so versatile. You can add or remove ingredients to suit your taste, and you can make it as thick or thin as you like. If you want a thicker soup, you can add more vegetables or beans. If you want a thinner soup, you can add more broth.
Minestrone soup is also a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. Vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet, and they are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Minestrone soup is a delicious and easy way to get your veggies in.
How To Make Simple Minestrone Soup Italian
Making minestrone soup is easy. Here are the ingredients you will need:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup small pasta, such as ditalini or elbow macaroni
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
You will also need the following equipment:
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Can opener
To make the minestrone soup, follow these steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the tomatoes, cannellini beans, great northern beans, pasta, chicken broth, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the pasta is cooked through.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips or Possible Variation
Here are a few tips for making minestrone soup:
- Use whatever vegetables you have on hand. There are no hard and fast rules about what vegetables go in minestrone soup.
- Add more or less pasta to suit your taste. If you want a thicker soup, add more pasta. If you want a thinner soup, add less pasta.
- Use any type of beans you like. Cannellini beans and great northern beans are traditional in minestrone soup, but you can use any type of beans you like.
Here are a few possible variations on minestrone soup:
- Add some shredded chicken or beef to the soup for extra protein.
- Add some chopped greens, such as spinach or kale, to the soup for extra nutrition.
- Top the soup with a dollop of pesto for extra flavor.
Minestrone soup is a delicious and versatile soup that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So next time you are looking for a hearty and flavorful soup, give minestrone soup a try.
There are countless variations on minestrone soup, and the best way to find one that you love is to experiment. Try adding different vegetables, beans, and pastas. You might even come up with your own unique minestrone soup recipe.