Minestrone Soup
Course: Main Dish, Pasta, Soup6-8
servings20
minutes35
minutes55
minutesThis Minestrone Soup is a total winner! You’ll be blown away by the flavor—it’s packed with veggies, pasta, beans, cheese, and delicious pices. It’s hearty, comforting, and even good for you. What’s not to love?
Ingredients
2 slices of bacon, chopped (or 1 oz Pancetta, chopped)
1 1/2 cup onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup carrots, chopped
3/4 cup celery, diced
1/2 small head green cabbage, chopped in 1 inch pieces
1-2 small zucchini, chopped
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon parsley
2 teaspoons basil
2 quarts homemade canned whole tomatoes, or 2 large cans stewed tomatoes
1 quart water
5 chicken bouillon cubes
2 teaspoons salt
1 (15 – 19 oz) can Cannelloni, Great Northern or other white beans, drained and rinsed
2″ x 3″ piece of Parmesan Reggiano, cut into smaller pieces
2 cups GF pasta (macaroni or shells)
Directions
- Prepare veggies before you begin and set aside.
- Drain and rinse white beans. Mash half of the beans and leave the other half whole. Set aside.
- Cook bacon in a large soup pot until bacon has released its fat, 2 – 3 minutes. Add onion and saute until almost tender. (If bacon doesn’t produce enough grease to keep the onions from sticking, add a little olive oil.) Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add carrots, celery, cabbage, zucchini, rosemary, parsley and basil to the pan. Cook and stir until veggies begin to wilt, about 5 – 8 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, water, chicken bouillon, salt, beans, Parmesan cheese, and pasta. Cook until pasta is tender, about 16 – 20 minutes. Stir every few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or keep warm in a crockpot until ready to serve.
Notes
- If adding fresh spices use the following:
1 4-inch sprig rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup packed parsley, chopped
1/2 cup packed basil, chopped
