Do you want a hearty, tasty bowl of soup (minestrone soup) to fill you up? Make this mouthwatering English Minestrone Soup dish your go-to option. This substantial soup is the ideal recipe to warm you up on chilly days or anytime you need a filling dinner. It is packed with a medley of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a rich, savoury broth.
Ingredients Minestrone Soup Recipe
To make this English Minestrone Soup, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cooked pasta (e.g., macaroni or small shells)
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Directions Minestrone Soup
Follow these step-by-step directions to prepare your English Minestrone Soup:
1/ Gather all the ingredients and ensure they are properly measured and prepped.
2/ Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
3/ Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
4/ Add diced carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans to the pot.
5/ Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
6/ Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
7/ Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
8/ Add cooked pasta and kidney beans, followed by dried oregano and basil.
9/ Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10/ Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
11/ Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before serving.
Preparation Time Minestrone Soup
The preparation time for this English Minestrone Soup is approximately 10 minutes, and the total cooking time is around 35 minutes.
Servings Minestrone Soup
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings of English Minestrone Soup.
Tips And Tricks To Make A Delicious Minestrone Soup
Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh vegetables for the best flavor. However, frozen vegetables can be a convenient alternative.
Variety of Vegetables: Minestrone traditionally includes a variety of vegetables such as carrots, celery, onion, zucchini, green beans, and tomatoes. Feel free to customize based on what you have on hand.
Browning Aromatics: Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and sometimes celery and carrots in olive oil until they’re softened and lightly browned.
Herbs and Seasonings: Use a combination of fresh or dried herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves for added flavor. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tomato Base: Canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce often form the base of Minestrone soup. You can use either or a combination for a robust tomato flavor.
Beans: Common choices for beans in Minestrone are cannellini beans or kidney beans. If using canned beans, drain and rinse them before adding to the soup.
Broth or Stock: Vegetable broth or chicken broth can be used as the liquid base for the soup. You can also use a combination of water and bouillon cubes.
Pasta or Rice: Traditional Minestrone often includes small pasta like ditalini or small shells. Add pasta or rice toward the end of cooking to avoid it becoming too mushy.
Simmer Slowly: Let the soup simmer gently to allow the flavors to meld together. A longer cooking time can result in a richer flavor.
Don’t Overcook: Be cautious not to overcook the vegetables. They should be tender but still have some bite to them (al dente).
Fresh Greens: Add fresh greens like spinach or kale at the end of cooking. They’ll wilt quickly and maintain their vibrant color.
Parmesan Rind: If you have a Parmesan cheese rind, adding it to the simmering soup can infuse it with a subtle cheesy richness.
Taste and Adjust: Taste your Minestrone soup as it cooks and adjust the seasonings, herbs, and spices to your liking.
Garnish: Serve each bowl of Minestrone with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. A little fresh basil or parsley on top can add freshness.
Storage: Minestrone soup often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld further. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for easy reheating.
Minestrone soup is a comforting and wholesome dish perfect for any time of the year.
NUTRITION FACTS
Minestrone soup is a hearty and nutritious Italian soup typically made with a variety of vegetables, beans, pasta or rice, and often includes a flavorful broth. Here are the approximate nutrition facts for a standard serving of minestrone soup (about 1 cup or 240 ml)
Nutrition Facts for One Serving of Minestrone Soup
- Calories: 100-150 kcal
- Total Fat: 1-3 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0-1 gram
- Cholesterol: 0-5 milligrams
- Sodium: 500-700 milligrams (varies based on recipe and added salt)
- Total Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 5-8 grams
- Sugars: 4-6 grams
- Protein: 3-5 grams
Please note that these values can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. Minestrone soup is highly customizable, and the nutritional content can change based on the types and amounts of vegetables, beans, and pasta or rice included. Here are some additional considerations:
Vegetables: Minestrone typically includes a variety of vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, and spinach. The specific vegetables used will affect the nutrient content.
Beans: Common beans used in minestrone include kidney beans, cannellini beans, and chickpeas. They contribute to the protein and fiber content.
Pasta or Rice: The type and amount of pasta or rice added can vary. Whole wheat pasta or brown rice can boost the fiber content.
Broth: The broth used, whether homemade or store-bought, can impact the sodium content. Low-sodium broth options are available for those watching their salt intake.
Herbs and Seasonings: The addition of herbs like basil and oregano, as well as seasonings like black pepper, can enhance the flavor without significantly altering the nutrition facts.
Minestrone soup is a nutritious choice, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It can be a healthy addition to your diet, especially when made with plenty of vegetables and legumes. If you have specific dietary preferences or restrictions, you can adjust the recipe to suit your needs.