Hearty Winter Minestrone
Warm up your chilly days with this Hearty Winter Minestrone, a delightful blend of fresh vegetables, beans, and tender pasta, all simmered to perfection in a rich, flavorful broth. With a medley of carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and beans complemented by the savory goodness of beef and chicken stocks, every spoonful is a comforting hug from the inside out. For an extra touch of freshness, toss in some baby spinach just before serving. This soup is not just a meal; it’s an experience you’ll look forward to every winter. Enjoy a satisfying mug-full filled with wholesome ingredients while curling up with a good book or a cozy blanket!
N/A
Servings
280
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
olive oil
1/4 cup (for sautéing)
carrots
2 large (diced)
onion
1 large (chopped)
celery
2 stalks (thinly sliced)
potatoes
2 medium (diced)
leek
1 (trimmed, washed, and thinly sliced)
beef broth or stock
3 cups (liquid)
chicken broth or stock
3 cups (liquid)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
diced tomatoes
1 (19 ounce) can (including juice)
zucchini
1 (peeled and diced)
red kidney beans
1 (14 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
white kidney beans
1 (14 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
dried spaghetti
1/2 cup (broken into pieces)
parmesan cheese
for garnish (shaved)
Instructions
1
In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, combine the butter and olive oil over medium heat until melted.
2
Add the diced carrots, chopped onion, sliced celery, diced potatoes, and sliced leek. Sauté for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
3
Pour in the beef and chicken broth, then add the salt, pepper, diced tomatoes (with juice), and diced zucchini. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer uncovered on low heat for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
4
Add the drained and rinsed red and white kidney beans along with the broken spaghetti pieces. Continue to simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
5
Serve hot, garnished with shavings of fresh Parmesan cheese on top of each bowl for a delicious finishing touch.
Nutrition Information
8g
Fat
41g
Carbs
13g
Protein
5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Winter Minestrone?
It is a delightful blend of fresh vegetables, beans, and tender pasta simmered in a rich beef and chicken broth, perfect for cold winter days.
What vegetables are in this minestrone soup?
The soup includes carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, leeks, and zucchini.
What types of beans are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for one 14-ounce can of red kidney beans and one 14-ounce can of white kidney beans.
What kind of pasta is added to the soup?
Dried spaghetti broken into small pieces is used in this recipe.
Can I add greens to the Hearty Winter Minestrone?
Yes, the description suggests tossing in some baby spinach just before serving for an extra touch of freshness.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
There are 280 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of the recipe?
Each serving contains 13g of protein.
How much fiber is in the Hearty Winter Minestrone?
There are 5g of fiber per serving.
What are the fat and carbohydrate counts?
The soup contains 8g of fat and 41g of carbohydrates.
What fats are used to sauté the vegetables?
A combination of 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup olive oil is used.
How long should the base vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the carrots, onion, celery, potatoes, and leeks for about 10 minutes until softened.
What kind of broth is recommended?
The recipe uses a mix of 3 cups of beef broth (or stock) and 3 cups of chicken broth (or stock).
Should I drain the diced tomatoes?
No, you should include the juice from the 19-ounce can of diced tomatoes.
How long does the soup simmer before adding the beans?
It should simmer uncovered on low heat for 30 to 35 minutes after adding the broth and tomatoes.
When do I add the beans and pasta?
Add the drained kidney beans and broken spaghetti after the initial 30 to 35-minute simmer.
How long does the pasta take to cook in the soup?
Continue simmering for an additional 15 minutes once the pasta and beans are added.
What is the best garnish for this minestrone?
The soup is best served with shavings of fresh Parmesan cheese on top.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 17 ingredients in this recipe.
How many carrots and potatoes are needed?
You will need 2 large diced carrots and 2 medium diced potatoes.
How do I prepare the leek for the soup?
The leek should be trimmed, washed, and thinly sliced.
Is the zucchini peeled for this recipe?
Yes, the instructions specify the zucchini should be peeled and diced.
What size cans of beans are used?
The recipe uses 14-ounce cans for both the red and white kidney beans.
How much spaghetti is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of dried spaghetti broken into pieces.
Is this soup considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, vegetable-heavy soup with a good balance of protein and fiber.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
Combine the butter and olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until melted.
How much broth is needed in total?
A total of 6 cups of broth is used (3 cups beef and 3 cups chicken).
Are there any specific seasonings used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper, or to taste.
What is the texture of the finished soup?
It is described as a hearty soup with tender pasta and melded flavors.
Is this a good recipe for winter?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a winter recipe and described as comfort food.
How is the onion prepared?
The recipe requires 1 large onion, chopped.