Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 yellow squash, diced
- 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups chopped spinach or kale
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for added heat
Instructions:
1. Sauté Vegetables:
- In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and translucent.
2. Add Carrots, Celery, and Zucchini:
- Add the diced carrots, celery, zucchini, and yellow squash to the pot. Sauté for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add Green Beans:
- Stir in the green beans and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Tomatoes and Beans:
- Add the can of diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and cannellini beans to the pot. Mix well.
5. Pour in Vegetable Broth:
- Pour in the vegetable broth, and add the dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If you like your soup spicy, you can add red pepper flakes at this stage.
6. Simmer:
- Bring the soup to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
7. Add Pasta:
- Stir in the small pasta, and cook according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Be careful not to overcook it, as it will continue to soften in the hot soup.
8. Add Spinach or Kale:
- Just before serving, add the chopped spinach or kale to the pot and cook until wilted, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
9. Serve:
- Ladle the hot Minestrone soup into bowls. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley.
10. Enjoy your homemade Minestrone soup! It’s a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for a light meal or as an appetizer.
Feel free to customize your Minestrone soup by adding other vegetables like cabbage, bell peppers, or butternut squash. You can also use different types of pasta or substitute the beans with your favorites.