Hearty Minestrone Soup 🍲🥕

Warm and nutritious, this hearty minestrone soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly days. Packed with vegetables and beans, it’s both colorful and filling. Plus, it's easy to customize based on your favorite ingredients or what you have on hand!

Serving suggestions? Try pairing it with a crusty piece of bread or a simple green salad! 🌿🍞

Ingredients

For the soup base

• 4 tablespoons of margarine or butter
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1 (19 ounce) can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can of stewed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups cubed potatoes
• 1 quart chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the finish

• 1/2 cup elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. In a heavy pot, melt the margarine or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots, and sauté for a few minutes until they're softened.

🥕 Sautéing the vegetables first helps build a flavor base for your soup. Don’t skip this step!

2. Add the drained cannellini beans, shredded cabbage, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, cubed potatoes, broth, minced garlic, dried parsley, and salt to the pot. Stir well, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat.

3. Let it simmer for about 1 hour, until the vegetables are tender but not mushy.

4. Stir in the elbow macaroni and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes until the pasta is cooked through. Adjust seasoning to taste.

5. Serve hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

🧂 Adjust the salt at the end; remember, the Parmesan can add extra saltiness too!

Variations

• Vegetarian/Vegan: Use vegetable broth and omit the cheese for a completely plant-based soup. You can add extra beans or lentils for protein!
• Add more greens: Spinach or kale can be added during the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra nutrition.
• Spicier: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce for a warming kick!
• Make it gluten-free: Substitute the elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta or skip the pasta altogether and increase the amount of beans or veggies.

Enjoy this delightful bowl of warmth that’s sure to nourish your heart and soul! ❤️🍵