Vibrant Spring Minestrone with Tortellini
This delightful Vibrant Spring Minestrone imbues the essence of spring with its fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. Made with colorful tortellini, cannellini beans, and bright green peas, this soup is not just a feast for the eyes but also a wholesome, low-cholesterol option for your family. The basil pesto adds a depth of flavor, while shaved Parmesan cheese offers a creamy finish. Perfect as a light lunch or dinner, this dish captures the spirit of the season and encourages sharing with loved ones.
6
Servings
120
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
onion
1 (finely chopped)
carrot
1 (finely chopped)
chicken stock
4 cups (none)
tortellini
300 g (fresh or frozen, cheese or spinach)
cannellini beans
400 g (drained)
frozen peas
3/4 cup (none)
basil pesto
3 tablespoons (plus extra for serving)
shaved parmesan cheese
to serve (optional)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the finely chopped carrot and continue to cook for another 2 minutes until it starts to soften.
3
Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4
Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5
Add the tortellini to the pot and simmer for an additional 8 minutes, or until the tortellini is cooked through.
6
Introduce the frozen peas and drained cannellini beans to the pot, simmering for 3 more minutes until heated.
7
Stir in the basil pesto until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
8
Serve the minestrone hot, garnished with additional basil pesto and shaved Parmesan cheese as desired.
Nutrition Information
3 g
Fat
15 g
Carbs
5 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibrant Spring Minestrone with Tortellini?
It is a fresh, vegetable-based soup featuring tortellini, cannellini beans, and green peas, finished with basil pesto and Parmesan cheese.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this minestrone?
Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.
Is this soup a low-cholesterol option?
Yes, it is specifically described as a wholesome, low-cholesterol option for families.
What type of tortellini is recommended?
You can use 300g of fresh or frozen tortellini, either cheese or spinach flavored.
What kind of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 400g of drained cannellini beans.
Can I use frozen peas for this soup?
Yes, the recipe specifically uses 3/4 cup of frozen peas.
What is the purpose of the basil pesto?
Basil pesto is stirred into the soup to add a depth of flavor and can be used as an additional garnish.
Is the Parmesan cheese mandatory?
No, shaved Parmesan cheese is listed as an optional garnish for a creamy finish.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 5 grams of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
Each serving has 15 grams of carbohydrates.
How much fat does this soup contain?
Each serving contains 3 grams of fat.
What is the base liquid for the soup?
The recipe uses 4 cups of chicken stock.
Can I make this a vegetarian soup?
Yes, you can substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock to make it vegetarian.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be finely chopped.
How long should I sauté the onion?
Sauté the onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
How should the carrot be prepared?
The carrot should be finely chopped and sautéed for 2 minutes after the onions.
How long do I simmer the soup after adding the chicken stock?
Allow the soup to simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld before adding the tortellini.
How long does the tortellini take to cook in the soup?
The tortellini should simmer for approximately 8 minutes until cooked through.
When do I add the peas and beans?
Add the peas and cannellini beans after the tortellini is cooked, simmering for an additional 3 minutes.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as soup, minestrone, spring recipes, vegetable soup, low cholesterol, and healthy.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much basil pesto is required?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of basil pesto, plus extra for serving.
Is this soup suitable for lunch?
Yes, it is described as perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Does this recipe include fiber information?
No, the fiber content is not specified in the current nutritional data.
Can I add other green vegetables?
While the recipe focuses on peas and beans, you could easily add other spring vegetables like asparagus or spinach.
Is the soup served hot or cold?
The minestrone should be served hot.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 9 ingredients.
What is the preparation for the cannellini beans?
The beans should be drained before being added to the pot.
What makes this soup 'Vibrant'?
The combination of bright green peas, colorful tortellini, and fresh herbs gives it a vibrant appearance and taste.