Hearty Genoese Bean & Pasta Soup
Warm up with this flavorful Hearty Genoese Bean & Pasta Soup, a classic Italian minestrone bursting with fresh ingredients. This wholesome dish features tender beans, crispy bacon, and a variety of seasonal vegetables, all simmered in a savory broth, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends. The addition of small shell pasta and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese takes it to the next level. Enjoy a taste of Genoa in every comforting bowl!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried navy beans
1/4 cup (Soaked overnight or boiled for 1 minute and rested for 1 hour)
Bacon
2 slices (Cut into 1/4-inch dice)
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (N/A)
Garlic cloves
2 (Finely chopped)
Fresh parsley
1/4 cup (Chopped)
Onion
1 medium (Chopped)
Water
3 quarts (N/A)
Carrots
3 (Pared and cut into 1/2-inch dice)
Zucchini
3 medium (Quartered lengthwise and sliced)
Ripe medium tomatoes
4 (Peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice)
Salt
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Fresh ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Savoy cabbage
1/2 small head (Shredded (about 3 cups))
Small shell pasta
1 cup (N/A)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (N/A)
Fresh basil
1/4 cup (Chopped)
Instructions
1
1. Start by soaking the dried navy beans in water overnight, or alternatively, boil them for 1 minute, remove from heat, and let them sit covered for 1 hour.
2
2. In a large pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once done, remove all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat, leaving the bacon in the pot.
3
3. Add the extra virgin olive oil and heat it with the bacon. After about 1 minute, stir in the finely chopped garlic and fresh parsley. Sauté for about 2 minutes, until lightly colored.
4
4. Incorporate the chopped onion into the pot and sauté for an additional minute, stirring frequently.
5
5. Pour in the 3 quarts of water, followed by the soaked and drained navy beans, diced carrots, sliced zucchini, and diced tomatoes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
6
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours, allowing flavors to meld.
7
7. After the beans are tender, stir in the shredded savoy cabbage and simmer for another 20 minutes until the cabbage has softened.
8
8. Add the small shell pasta and cook until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes more.
9
9. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as desired before serving.
10
10. Ladle the hot soup into wide bowls and finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Genoese Bean & Pasta Soup?
It is a classic Italian minestrone featuring tender beans, crispy bacon, and seasonal vegetables simmered in a savory broth with small shell pasta and Parmesan cheese.
How do I prepare the dried navy beans?
You can either soak them in water overnight or boil them for 1 minute and then let them sit covered for 1 hour before draining.
What type of bacon is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 slices of bacon, cut into 1/4-inch dice.
How should the bacon be cooked?
Cook the diced bacon over medium heat in a large pot until it becomes crispy.
What should I do with the bacon fat after cooking?
Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat from the pot, leaving the crispy bacon inside.
Which oil is used for sautéing?
Extra virgin olive oil is used to heat with the bacon fat before adding aromatics.
How long do I sauté the garlic and parsley?
Sauté the finely chopped garlic and fresh parsley for about 2 minutes until they are lightly colored.
How much water is required for the broth?
The recipe requires 3 quarts of water to be added after sautéing the aromatics.
What vegetables are included in the base of the soup?
The base vegetables include carrots, zucchini, and ripe medium tomatoes.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be pared and cut into 1/2-inch dice.
How do I prepare the zucchini?
The zucchini should be quartered lengthwise and then sliced.
How are the tomatoes prepared for the soup?
The tomatoes should be peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice.
How long does the soup simmer initially?
The soup should simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
When is the savoy cabbage added?
Add the shredded savoy cabbage after the beans are tender, and simmer for another 20 minutes.
How much cabbage is needed?
You will need 1/2 of a small head of savoy cabbage, which is about 3 cups when shredded.
What kind of pasta is recommended?
Small shell pasta is recommended for this hearty soup.
How long should the pasta cook?
The pasta should be cooked in the soup for about 10 minutes until it is tender.
What seasoning is used?
The soup is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper.
How is the soup garnished?
The soup is finished with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
Is the soup cooked covered or uncovered?
The instructions specify simmering the mixture uncovered.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as minestrone, italian soup, vegetable soup, comfort food, and healthy recipe.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients listed for this soup.
What type of onion is required?
One medium onion, chopped, is needed for the recipe.
How much Parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Can I use fresh parsley?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
What is the first step in making the soup?
The first step is preparing the navy beans by either soaking them overnight or using the quick-boil method.
How do I know when the soup is ready to serve?
The soup is ready once the pasta is tender and the seasonings have been adjusted to your taste.
What size should the tomatoes be diced?
The tomatoes should be cut into 1/2-inch dice.
How much fresh basil is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil for the final garnish.
What heat setting should I use for simmering?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer.