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Nonna’s Minestrone Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 120 reviews

Nonna’s Minestrone Soup is a hearty and comforting Italian vegetable soup packed with fresh vegetables, beans, pasta, and fragrant herbs, all simmered together to create a rich and flavorful meal perfect for warming up on chilly days.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 3/4 cup onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquids

  • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 cup pasta sauce or crushed tomatoes

Beans and Pasta

  • 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can great northern beans, drained
  • 1/2 cup small pasta shells

Cheese

  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Sauté Vegetables: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped carrots, celery, diced onions, and peeled diced Yukon Gold potatoes. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
  2. Add Herbs and Garlic: Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Continue to sauté for an additional minute to release the flavors of the herbs and garlic.
  3. Simmer Soup Base: Pour in 6 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth along with the drained red kidney beans, great northern beans, and 1 cup of pasta sauce or crushed tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Cook Pasta: Add 1/2 cup of small pasta shells to the simmering soup. Cook for about 8 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the vegetables are tender. Be careful not to overcook the pasta.
  5. Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Serve the minestrone hot, topped with additional parmesan cheese if desired, alongside crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium broth to control the saltiness of the soup.
  • Chicken broth can be substituted for vegetable broth for added flavor.
  • Pasta can be substituted with gluten-free pasta shells for gluten-free diets.
  • For a vegetarian version, ensure pasta sauce and broth contain no animal products.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • This soup freezes well; reheat gently to avoid overcooking the pasta.

Keywords: minestrone soup, Italian soup, vegetable soup, healthy soup, vegetarian soup, easy dinner, bean soup, pasta soup, homemade minestrone

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/nonnas-minestrone-soup-recipe/