Lentil Minestrone
User Reviews
5
Lentil Minestrone
Description
This Lentil Minestrone combines onions, carrots, celery, and garlic sautéed in olive oil, then simmered with crushed tomatoes, dried lentils, and bay leaves in vegetable broth and water. Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper provide the savory aroma. After an initial simmer, elbow macaroni and canned cannellini beans are added to cook until tender and heated through.
The addition of fresh chopped spinach at the end brightens the soup while adding nutrition and color. The combination of lentils and beans contributes a substantial texture and depth of flavor. The broth is thickened slightly by the crushed tomatoes and softened vegetables.
This soup can be served with warm baguette for dipping and topped with grated Parmesan and parsley if desired. It suits a wholesome lunch or dinner with balanced plant-based proteins and comforting textures.
Sodium levels vary based on broth and seasoning; adjust salt accordingly. Using low-sodium broth and salt-free Italian seasoning allows flexible seasoning to taste.
Ingredients
- 1 onion medium
- 2 carrot
- 2 celery ribs
- 4 cloves garlic (peeled, smashed, and minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
- 4-5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes canned
- 1 cup lentils dried
- 2 bay leaves dried
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 can cannelini beans (15 oz ) drained and rinsed
- 2 cups spinach fresh chopped
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- baguette for dunking, warmed
- Parmesan Cheese for topping, freshly grated
- parsley to garnish, chopped
Instructions
- Peel and dice onion and carrots. Finely chop celery. Smash and peel garlic, then mince.
- Heat a large dutch oven (or heavy duty pot) to medium-high heat with 2 TBSP oil. Once oil is hot, add onion, carrot, and celery and saute until vegetables are tender, approx. 7 minutes.
- Next add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and cook an addiitonal minute, stirring constantly.
- Add broth, water, and crushed tomatoes (juices and all) then stir in dried green or brown lentils and bay leaves and bring pot to a boil.
- Once soup is vigorously bubbling, reduce heat to a low simmer and cover. Set a timer and cook for 25 minutes.
- Remove lid and increase heat to medium. Add pasta and beans and cook unti beans are heated through and pasta is tender, approx. 10 minutes (or longer depending on pasta shape/size used). Remove bay leaves when you come across them stirring the soup.
- Ready to eat? Stir fresh chopped baby spinach into the soup and ladle into bowls. Enjoy piping hot with your choice of optional extras.
- Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in either the fridge or freezer. This soup is delicious the first day and even better the next!
SLOW COOKER + CROCK POT INSTRUCTIONS
- Peel and dice onion and carrots. Finely chop celery. Smash and peel garlic, then mince. Add vegetables, oil, spices, broth, water, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, and dried lentils, to a large slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or LOW for 9-10 hours, until dried lentils are cooked through and veggies are tender.
- After lentils are tender and cooked through, add beans and pasta. Return the lid to the pot and cook an additional 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente and tender. Remaining cook time will vary on pasta size/shape. Add your spinach, any additional seasoning to taste, and whatever toppings your heart desires. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust salt and pepper to suit your preference as broth sodium varies.
- Low-sodium vegetable broth and salt-free Italian seasoning can help control salt content.
- Nutrition facts are approximate and depend on added toppings and ingredient variations.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 183 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 183kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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