I know, I know, what happened to my soup/stew strike? Lol, I guess that was a lot of big talk (the moral of that story is never believe me if I swear off soup!). This time of year I really can’t stay away too long from a warm and comforting bowl of goodness, plus I’m on the popular mission to empty out my freezer/pantry; since this soup uses a few different canned items, it helped make a small dent in my stash. (Every little bit helps when you’re cleaning out your pantry, right?) And just look at all the goodies in this bowl…it’s chock full of vitamin-rich veggies, plus it’s meat-free so it’s filling without being too heavy.
Another nice thing about Minestrone is that you can customize it with any veggies you have on hand. Zucchini, mushrooms, green beans, and peas are a few more of my favorites…it’s a great way to clean out your fridge!
Minestrone
(Yield: 4-6 servings)
3 oz small pasta, any shape you like (such as ditalini, orzo, or shells)
4 c vegetable, chicken, or beef stock*
1 medium-large onion, diced
4 medium or 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 large stalks celery, diced
2-3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
2 TB tomato paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce*
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme (or ⅓ teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
3 oz (about 4 c lightly packed) fresh baby spinach (or you can use regular spinach, coarsely chopped)
1 (15 oz) can beans (such as cannellini, garbanzo, or kidney), drained and rinsed
Salt and pepper
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (for garnish)
*To make this vegetarian, use vegetable stock and omit the Worcestershire sauce.
Prepare pasta to al dente according to package directions.
In a 3-quart pot with a lid, combine stock, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, thyme, Italian herb seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring up to a boil, then cover (leaving lid slightly ajar), turn heat down to a simmer, and cook until veggies are tender (about 20 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Add spinach, beans, and cooked pasta and cook a couple minutes until spinach is wilted. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve garnished with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.
Magic of Spice says
Definitely a favorite of mine...and loving your recipe, the worcestershire is unique for me...Very nice :)
Emily Z says
This looks so perfect for this time of year. I agree, this time of year it is hard to swear off soups and stews! I have been wanting to make a minestrone for a while now... yours looks wonderful!
Dana says
This is so up my alley! I love soup (if you couldn't tell from all of my recent soup posts LOL). This sounds hearty but not heavy. Perfect for a warm winter lunch!
Crazy Sweet Life (Brianna) says
This looks sooo good! I've never made minestrone soup, but I'd love to try - your recipe sounds really yummy and healthy!
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
Very hearty lunch there, and the cheese on top a great touch. Shall we call you the other soup nazi?
Anna Johnston says
Minestrone = nom nom nom nom :) We're enjoying a wonderful hot summer's day down here in the land down under, but I could easily tuck into a bowl of this fine stuff Faith, it looks wonderful.
grace says
a good soup is simply impossible to resist, strike or not, and this definitely qualifies as a good one!
Carolyn Jung says
That looks like one of the most inviting renditions of minestrone I've ever seen. I'm especially drooling over those plump noodles picking out of the bowl. ;)
Monica says
I cannot wait to try this!! I haven't been brave enough to try making homemade soup yet but this looks sooo good I'm buying the ingredients this weekend! :)
A Canadian Foodie says
Faith! This looks mouth watering - lemon and capers are perfect together. I always want to eat your food. Everything you make appeals to me. Vanja does not like lemon on anything savoury, so I will NOT bookmark this - but I am tasting it in my mind and all I can say is... I wish. As this would not be hard for me to make and would really be bright and lively and tasty.
\")
Valerie
A Canadian Foodie says
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! It is so cold here and the snow is so high that it absolutely is soup season and I am a soup lover. YUM! I have been looking for a really good minestrone recipe and this looks like a winner. I am in!!!
:)
Valerie
Heavenly Housewife says
I am always on a soup strike, I am just not a soup person. THat being said, rarely do I see a soup that is as tempting looking as yours.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead.
*kisses* HH
Rich says
Faith, I am glad to see the end of the soup strike, because that means we wouldn't have been treated too this - it looks fantastic!
Sharon says
I love recipes where I can throw anything I have in a fridge together and make a great dish! This looks amazing! I love how you put pasta into it too. I've only ever seen minestrone that is just the soup. YUM, would love a big bowl right now. Perfect for this cold weather!
Jennifer@A Busy Nest says
I love the name and subtitle of your blog. The minestrone looks wonderful.
http://www.abusynest.com/
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I love soups that are a hearty meal in themselves and minestrone is a great example of this! And I haven't bought that shape pasta is years but it used to be my favourite when I was small! :D
delphcotecuisine says
yours looks so yummy and warmy
thanks for sharing
have a nice day
Delphine
Cherine says
One of my favorite soups! Yours look wonderful!
Cara says
Minestrone is one of my favs. I love how customizable it is.
Angie's Recipes says
I wish I cook soups as good as you...mine always looks...no idea..just okay...yours looks to die for!
Aipi says
Sounds like a delicious, comforting soup on a cold day..beautiful picture!
Veronica says
Oh, this looks so hot and refreshingly light--perfect for this weather and it won't bog you down!
Lisa says
When I was a kid, I hated minestrone. Really...thought it was gross and wanted to gag even smelling it. What was wrong with me? It's so delicious, and yours looks amazing!
tasteofbeirut says
Minstrone is one soup I love but get so disappointed with when I (rarely) order it in eateries; it needs to be made with care to be good, and not reheated from a can like the commercial ones; yours sounds delicious.
deana@lostpastremembered says
Although I love minestrone, mine always has a sad forlorn look... sort of beige even if it's tasty. Yours looks so vibrant and alive.. great looking soup, must try a less cooked to death version!
BeadedTail says
That looks so hearty and yummy! I've been in a soup mood lately so you can show soup recipes any day!
Anh says
I will never say no to a bowl of goodness like this :)
coco says
I'd love to have a bowl of minestrone soup! It's so comforting! It has everything that I like about soups! :D
Shari says
Everything on your blog looks so good - I just don't know which recipe to scribble down and try tonight! I'm so glad that I stumbled across your blog after reading a post from Mission: Food where you were awarded an award (Congratulations - I can see why).
Shari from http://www.goodfoodweek.blogspot.com
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
This soup looks wonderful... both the photography and the meal. I can't wait until later this year when I can invest in a dSLR.
Michele Napoli says
I love the concept of "using up" what I have on hand. This soup looks so tasty for these cold winter days.
Maria @ Scandi Foodie says
Such a lovely hearty soup Faith! I can't wait for the cooler weather here in Sydney!
Geni says
Faith...that photo is BEE-U-TI-FUL! Seriously. I am so jealous of your mad photo skills. The soup looks so vibrant and tasty.
marla {family fresh cooking} says
Beautiful minestrone soup Faith. Just a little cheese on the top adds so much greatness :) xo
MAry says
That is a gorgeous looking bowl of soup. No one would be able to resist it. I'll wager it is as tasty as it is beautiful. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Blond Duck says
Minestrone is one of Ben's favorite soups!
priyanka says
Soups or stews are just the kind of food you crave in winter and they never fail to hit the spot.
Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen says
I NEED to try this--that is one of the most tempting pictures of soup I've ever seen! Thank you! :)
Diane says
I love minestrone, thanks for the reminder I have not made it for ages. Diane
lequan says
Oooh, this looks so warm, hearty, and delicious. I'd love a bowl of this right now, or later, or tonight, or heck, all day long. My kind of comfort food after a tough hour of shoveling. I love that this is meatless as well. You've used such hearty ingredients that it would be wrong not to make this. Definitely going into my bookmarks for sure. Thanks Faith!
swathi says
Looks delicious, it is one soup you can add what ever you like. I love them, good for this winter.
Carol says
Great looking soup, nice and hearty! Can't get enough soup with this snow weather we have, soup is perfect!
something_good says
great pictures! and your minestrone looks delicious. we are in love with soups and our resolution is to keep inventing and trying so we could have 365 awesome soups, one for each day of the year.
Diedra says
I am making this right now (sans the spinach, since that's the only ingredient I don't have on hand)! Thanks!
Nicole, RD says
With all this snow, minestrone is on my menu for next week. I have a recipe I love, but I'll give yours a go! I'm always up for a change! And so long as the minestrone has spinach, I'm a happy camper! It looks delicious, Faith!!
Katerina says
Minestrone is such a versatile soup you can add and take out anything you like or dislike. That's why I don't make any resolutions. I cannot keep them more than a few days. It is like something is pinching me not to do what I promise lol! I love your soup.
Lentil Breakdown says
I could even eat it right now for breakfast.
Rosa says
Minestrone is delicious and so good during the wintertime.
Cheers,
Rosa
Steve @ HPD says
Your soup and a loaf of fresh bread, maybe some Chianti, and I'll no longer care how cold it is outside.
chriesi says
Lovely! It is perfect in this cold, windy and rainy weather. It is also on my cooking list for this week.