4.5 from 252 votes
My Grandma's BEST Minestrone Soup
My Grandma's easy minestrone soup recipe is one of the healthiest vegetable-loaded soups you'll make, and it tastes far better than any of those Olive Garden copycat recipes thanks to the secret ingredient in the savory broth.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 8 -10
Calories: 327 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 4-5 lices Bacon , roughly sliced into bite size pieces
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- ⅔ cup chopped leeks , white part only
- ⅔ cup chopped celery
- 3 quarts beef stock , (12 cups)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2-3 chunks of Parmesan cheese rind
- 1 ½ cups potatoes
- 1 cup small macaroni
- 1 15- ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15- ounce can red kidney beans , rinsed and drained
- ⅔ cup frozen peas , thawed
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the bacon to a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat and cook until browned but not crispy.
- Add the onion, carrots, leeks and celery then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the beef stock, kosher salt, pepper, and cheese rinds. Bring to a boil then reduce to a gently rolling simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, partially covered with a lid.
- Add the potatoes, macaroni, and tomatoes, then partially cover with the lid, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes more.
- Add the kidney beans and peas, and simmer until warmed through. Taste for seasoning and adjust to your taste.
- Just before serving, add the grated Parmesan cheese and serve sprinkled with more Parmesan if you’d like.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make your own homemade beef broth/stock with this recipe.
- homemade beef broth/stock with this recipe
- Or, use a vegetable broth instead.
Nutrition Information
Calories
327kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
36g
(12%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
24mg
(8%)
Sodium
1608mg
(67%)
Potassium
1276mg
(36%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
3155IU
(63%)
Vitamin C
18mg
(20%)
Calcium
306mg
(31%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8-10
Amount Per Serving
Calories 327
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 327kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 1608mg | 67% |
| Potassium | 1276mg | 27% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 3155IU | 63% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 306mg | 31% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.