How to Make a Cozy Italian Minestrone Soup Dinner
Do you want a warm bowl of soup for dinner tonight? I love making a big pot of Italian minestrone soup when the weather gets chilly. It is packed with lots of fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta. This meal is very comforting, and your whole house will smell amazing while it cooks on the stove.
You can easily change this recipe based on what you have sitting in your fridge. If you love hearty dinners that do not take all night to make, this is the one for you. Let us get into the kitchen and cook up something truly delicious.
Ingredients Needed
To make this wonderful soup, you will need to gather a few simple ingredients from your local grocery store or market. Here is the list:
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- One medium yellow onion, chopped
- Two carrots, peeled and sliced
- Two stalks of celery, chopped
- Three cloves of garlic, minced
- Four cups of vegetable broth
- One can of diced tomatoes
- One can of red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- One cup of green beans, cut into small pieces
- Two cups of fresh baby spinach
- One cup of small pasta shells
- One teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to your taste
- Fresh parmesan cheese for serving
Step By Step Making
Cooking this soup is very straightforward. Just follow these simple steps and you will have a great dinner ready in no time.
1. Grab a large soup pot and place it on your stove over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it get warm for a minute.
2. Toss in your chopped onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Cook these vegetables for about five minutes until they start to get soft and tender.
3. Add the minced garlic and dried oregano to the pot. Stir everything together and cook for about one minute until you can smell the lovely garlic.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and the can of diced tomatoes with their juices. Give it a good stir to mix all the flavors together.
5. Bring the liquid to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Let the soup simmer gently for about ten minutes so the carrots begin to soften up.
6. Add the kidney beans, green beans, and your small pasta shells right into the pot. Stir well and let it cook for another ten minutes until the pasta is tender.
7. Turn off the heat and throw in the fresh baby spinach. Stir it gently until the green leaves shrink down into the hot soup.
8. Taste the soup and add salt and black pepper if you feel it needs a little extra flavor.
9. Ladle the warm soup into bowls and sprinkle some fresh grated parmesan cheese right on top before you dig in.
If you enjoy comforting dinner ideas that bring classic flavors to your table, you might also like checking out this tasty Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes: A Simple, Delicious Dinner recipe for another night of the week.
Nutritional Value
Eating a bowl of this minestrone soup gives your body a great mix of nutrients without weighing you down. Here is what you get in one average serving:
- Calories: Around 280 calories per serving
- Protein: About 10 grams
- Carbs: Around 45 grams
Health Benefits
This soup is a fantastic choice if you want to eat more greens and wholesome ingredients. Because it is loaded with carrots, celery, spinach, and beans, you get a huge boost of fiber and vitamins. Fiber helps your digestion stay healthy and keeps you feeling full for a long time.
The beans and vegetables also give your body important minerals. Cooking at home lets you control the salt and oil, making this a very healthy choice for you and your family. Whenever you want to share your culinary creations or find more inspiration, you can always visit pezni for more ideas.
Disclaimer: This recipe information is provided by pezni for general informational purposes only.