0 from 228 votes
ULTIMATE Minestrone Soup
A delicious minestrone soup after traditional Italian fashion: Packed full of healthy vegetables, beans, pasta and featuring a deliciously rich broth infused with smoky pancetta or bacon!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8
Calories: 389 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Soup
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 6 ounces diced pancetta or bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion , diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 large carrots , diced
- 3 ribs celery , diced
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup dry red wine
- 8 cups quality chicken broth (we use and recommend Aneto 100% natural chicken broth)
- 4 roma tomatoes , diced
- 1 medium potato , diced
- 15 ounce can cannellini beans , drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can kidney beans or borlotti/cranberry beans , drained and rinsed
- 1/2 pound green beans , trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 cup shelled green peas (canned, fresh or frozen)
- 3/4 cup ditalini or other tiny pasta (I used tripolini in the photos)
- 3 cups chopped kale , or greens of choice, e.g. Swiss chard, collards, spinach
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese , for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Fry the pancetta or bacon in a stock pot. Add the onions, carrot and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste and herbs and cook for another 2-3 minutes.Add the red wine and bring to a boil. Simmer for two minutes.Add the chicken broth.Add the beans and the vegetables (except for the kale).Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Add the pasta and simmer, covered, for another 10 minutes. Add the kale and simmer for another 3-5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For VEGETARIAN VERSION: Omit the pancetta, use vegetable broth, and add 1/4 cup of pesto.
- For VEGAN VERSION same as vegetarian version plus use vegan Parmesan or omit.
Nutrition Information
Calories
389kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
54g
(18%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
14mg
(5%)
Sodium
812mg
(34%)
Potassium
1363mg
(39%)
Fiber
10g
(40%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
5989IU
(120%)
Vitamin C
58mg
(64%)
Calcium
151mg
(15%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 389
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 389kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 812mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 1363mg | 29% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 5989IU | 120% |
| Vitamin C | 58mg | 64% |
| Calcium | 151mg | 15% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.