Minestrone Soup is a thick soup of Italian origin made with vegetables and pasta. Whilst there is no real ‘set’ recipe, common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes. It can contain meat, be completely vegetarian or contain a meat-based broth. However it comes, there’s no doubt that minestrone is a delicious and healthy soup for the whole family!
We’ve put together a basic recipe but the beauty of rustic dishes like this is that you can modify it to your own taste. Don’t be afraid to play with the quantities of ingredients, adding and removing to suit your family’s palate.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”Ingredients”]
- 1.5L of vegetable stock
- 1 x brown onion – diced
- 1 x garlic clove – crushed
- 3 x carrots – peeled/sliced
- 150gms green beans – topped/tailed and cut into pieces
- 2 x potatoes – diced
- 1/8 or 1/4 head cauliflower – cut into small florets
- 4 x celery sticks with leaves – chopped
- 1/2 cup firmly packed chopped continental parsley
- 5 x fresh, ripe tomatoes – diced (or a can of tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup – small macaroni
- 1 x tin borlotti OR canellini beans
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
 [mc_block_title custom_title=”Method of Preparation”]
Step 1. In a large, heavy based saucepan sauté onion and celery in olive oil until onion softens. Add garlic and fry until aromatic.
Step 2. Add water, carrots, beans, potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes and bring to the boil over medium heat.
Step 3. Almost cover and simmer for about 45 mins.
Step 4. Add macaroni and tinned beans and cook for about 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Step 5. Stir through parsley and season with salt and pepper.
Serve with grated parmesan cheese and buon appetito!