What Is In Minestrone Soup?

Ingredients

Minestrone soup is a classic Italian dish filled with vegetables, beans, and pasta. The ingredients usually consist of chopped onion, celery, carrots, garlic, olive oil, canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, kidney beans, zucchini, and small pasta such as ditalini, elbow macaroni, or shells. Other vegetables can be added such as spinach, green beans, or escarole. Herbs such as oregano, basil, and parsley are often added for flavor. The soup is usually topped with grated Parmesan cheese and served with crusty bread.

Instructions

To make minestrone soup, start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, carrots, and garlic and cook until the vegetables are softened. Then add the canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, and kidney beans and bring the soup to a simmer. Add the zucchini and pasta and simmer for 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked. Finally, add the herbs and simmer for another few minutes. Serve the soup with Parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

Nutrition

Minestrone soup is a healthy and nutritious meal. The vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, while the beans and pasta provide complex carbohydrates. The olive oil helps to provide healthy fats and adds flavor to the soup. Additionally, the herbs provide antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. A single serving of minestrone soup contains approximately 250 calories, 10 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of protein.

Variations

Minestrone soup can be easily adapted to different tastes. You can use different types of vegetables such as spinach, green beans, or escarole. You can also substitute the canned tomatoes for fresh tomatoes or use different types of beans such as pinto, black, or cannellini beans. For a heartier soup, you can add meat such as sausage, chicken, or beef. Additionally, for a thinner soup, you can add more broth or water.

Tips

When making minestrone soup, it is important to use fresh ingredients. Fresh vegetables, herbs, and even canned tomatoes will make a big difference in the flavor of the soup. Additionally, it is important to simmer the soup until the pasta is cooked. If the pasta is not cooked enough, it will not be as flavorful. Finally, the soup is best served hot with grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread.