Minestrone

Submitted by Sweet PQ?

"There are quite a few recipes for minestrone, but this one happens to be my favourite. I've been making it for 25+ years. The only seasonings are salt & pepper to allow the true flavours of the veggies to come out. Feel free to add italian seasoning(s) if you desire."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 3 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 leeks, thinly sliced (white parts only)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 cups cabbage, chopped
• 2 small zucchini, sliced
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes
• 1 1⁄2 cups potatoes, diced
• 8 cups beef stock
• 1 (19 ounce) can beans (cannelini, or beans in tomato sauce)
• 1 cup small shell pasta (like ditali)
• salt & pepper

directions

1. In a large pot, combine bacon, oil, onion, leeks and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes.
2. Add carrots & cabbage and saute 5 minutes more.
3. Add zucchini, tomatoes, potatoes and beef stock. Bring to a boil. Season with salt & pepper. Lower heat & simmer, covered for 30 minutes.
4. Add beans and pasta. Cook 12-15 minutes more, until tender.
5. Serve sprinkled with parmesan.

Reviews

[Sarah_Jayne]

I cut this in half since there is only the two of us and we both enjoyed huge bowls of this tasty soup for our evening meal. I was a bit worried about the lack of herbs and spices but it it didn't turn out to be a problem. I was making it for a vegetarian meal so I did skip the bacon and used a vegetarian friendly beef stock powder. Made for Everyday Holiday tag.

 

[Gerry]

Any recipe that is a family favorite is one I love to make - so happy I choose this one. It is delicious and one that will be seeing to repeats. Next time no halving in order to have containers of that lovely soup on hand to come home when pressed for time. Had my bowl with a grinding of black pepper. As suggested one could really play with the seasonings - but for now will go with the salt and pepper. Thank you for sharing your family recipe - one that is now in my soup collection.

 

[Baking Carly]

Delicious! Very easy and quite tasty. Only changes I made - I had about 1 oz of diced pancetta in my freezer so I used that instead of bacon. I sprinkled my bowl with parmesan, pepper, and a little oregano. I probably got more like 10 servings out of this as well. Thanks for a definite keeper!