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Irresistible Minestrone Soup Recipe Perfect for Cozy Nights

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A hearty and comforting minestrone soup with vibrant flavors and a creamy homemade pesto, perfect for chilly evenings or cozy nights at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained
  • 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or macaroni)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Wash, peel, and chop the onion, carrots, celery, and zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your stockpot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the vegetables: Toss in the carrots and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until slightly softened. Add the zucchini and cook for another 3 minutes.
  4. Add the liquid base: Pour in the vegetable broth and canned diced tomatoes. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Add beans and pasta: Stir in the kidney beans, cannellini beans, and pasta. Add the bay leaf. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
  6. Make the pesto: While the soup simmers, blend fresh basil, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a food processor until smooth.
  7. Finish the soup: Remove the bay leaf and stir in the pesto. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh basil leaves.

Notes

[‘Don’t overcook the pasta; cook until just al dente.’, ‘Use fresh ingredients for better flavor.’, ‘The pesto adds a layer of richness and brightness to the soup.’, ‘The soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.’, ‘For a thicker soup, mash some of the beans with a fork before adding them.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: minestrone soup, pesto soup, vegetarian soup, healthy soup, comfort food, Italian soup, hearty soup, cozy dinner

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/irresistible-minestrone-soup-recipe-perfect-for-cozy-nights/