This thick minestrone soup is a hearty, nutritious meal packed with vegetables and beans. It is perfect for a cold day, and can be easily tailored to suit your taste. The vibrant mix of vegetables and beans not only add a variety of flavors, but also makes this soup incredibly healthy.
This recipe calls for a variety of beans: kidney beans, butter beans, and green beans. These may not be readily available in your pantry, so you may need to pick them up from your local supermarket. Additionally, the recipe uses red wine vinegar, which adds a unique tanginess to the soup. If you don't usually cook with it, you'll find it with the other vinegars in most grocery stores.
Ingredients for Thick Minestrone Soup
Extra virgin olive oil: This provides the base for sautéing the vegetables, adding a rich depth of flavor.
Yellow onion: Adds a sweet, caramel-like flavor when sautéed.
Carrots: Brings a sweet, earthy dimension to the soup.
Celery: Adds a subtle savory note.
Zucchini: Its tender texture and mild flavor are perfect in this hearty soup.
Garlic cloves: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the overall flavor.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients.
Fresh ground pepper: Adds spiciness and depth.
Thyme: Its pungent flavor complements the other herbs.
Broth: Provides the soup base. You can use vegetable or chicken broth.
Red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy undertone.
Bay leaf: Infuses the soup with a subtle, savory flavor.
Kidney beans: Adds a hearty texture and rich taste.
Butter beans: Contributes a buttery flavor and smooth texture.
Green beans: Adds crunch and freshness.
Tomatoes: Adds a tangy sweetness and rich color.
Tomato paste: Deepens the tomato flavor.
Uncooked rice or pasta: Adds body to the soup.
Spinach: Gives a fresh, green touch and extra nutrients.
Parmesan cheese: Offers a finishing touch of salty, nutty flavor.
One reader, Broddy Elliott says:
This thick minestrone soup recipe is a game-changer! The blend of fresh veggies, beans, and savory broth creates a hearty and comforting dish. The flavors are rich and satisfying, and it's so versatile - perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends. Highly recommend!
Essential Techniques for Making Thick Minestrone Soup
How to chop vegetables: The vegetables should be chopped into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate.
How to simmer: Simmering is a cooking technique in which the liquid is kept just below the boiling point. It's important to maintain a gentle simmer to allow the flavors to meld together without overcooking the ingredients.
How to store leftovers: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. Ensure the soup has cooled to room temperature before refrigerating.
How To Make Thick and Hearty Minestrone Soup
Get some pasta ready and make this delicious and thick minestrone soup at home using only the ingredients found in the pantry. Enjoy this during a cold day.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspextra virgin olive oil
- 1cupyellow onion
- 1cupcarrots,
- 1cupcelery
- 1cupzucchini
- 4garlic cloves,minced
- bunch of Italian seasoning
- 1tspsalt
- ½tspfresh ground pepper
- ½tspthyme,dried
- 5-6cupsvegetable or chicken broth
- 2cupswater
- 2-3tspred wine vinegar
- 1bay leaf
- 14ozkidney beans,drained and rinsed
- 14ozbutter beans,drained and rinsed
- 14ozgreen beans,drained and rinsed
- 14oztomatoes,diced do not drain
- 8oztomato paste,1 can
- 1⅓cupsuncooked rice or pasta
- 3cupsfresh spinach,chopped
- Parmesan cheese,for serving
Instructions
-
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a 4-quart pot or dutch oven. Add the onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and thyme.
-
Stir and cook for 6 to 7 minutes as the vegetables soften up and let out some juices.
-
Add broth, water, red wine vinegar, bay leaf, all the beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then add uncooked rice or pasta. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes.
-
Stir in the chopped spinach and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove bay leaf.
-
Serve soup warm in homemade bread bowls and top with fresh parmesan cheese, if desired.
-
Keep leftovers in a large Tupperware in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Recipe Notes
- To reheat, simply pour into a pot over medium heat and cook until warm. Feel free to add more broth to the leftovers as it cooks if it is too thick.
Nutrition
- Calories: 514.24kcal
- Fat: 7.27g
- Saturated Fat: 1.47g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.54g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.46g
- Carbohydrates: 91.49g
- Fiber: 22.02g
- Sugar: 12.90g
- Protein: 25.33g
- Cholesterol: 4.50mg
- Sodium: 789.16mg
- Calcium: 299.55mg
- Potassium: 1906.77mg
- Iron: 17.18mg
- Vitamin A: 264.71µg
- Vitamin C: 46.10mg
Key Technique for Perfecting Thick Minestrone Soup
When preparing your minestrone soup, it's important to cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and at the same rate, providing a consistent texture throughout the soup. Additionally, adding the spinach towards the end of the cooking process helps to retain its vibrant color and nutritional value. Overcooking can cause it to lose its color and become overly wilted. Lastly, using a homemade broth instead of a store-bought one can significantly enhance the flavor of your soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Thick Minestrone Soup
Prep ahead: Chop and measure all the vegetables and store them in airtight containers in the fridge the night before. This will save time during the actual cooking process.
Use canned beans: Opt for canned beans instead of dried ones to save time on soaking and cooking.
One-pot wonder: Consider using a pressure cooker or instant pot to cook the soup, which can significantly reduce the cooking time.
Frozen veggies: Utilize frozen vegetables to skip the time-consuming process of washing, peeling, and chopping fresh produce.
Batch cooking: Make a large batch of soup and freeze individual portions for quick and easy meals on busy days.
Pre-washed greens: Purchase pre-washed and pre-chopped spinach to eliminate the need for washing and chopping.
Quick broth: Use store-bought broth instead of making it from scratch to save time without compromising flavor.
Substitute Ingredients For Thick Minestrone Soup Recipe
extra virgin olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar high smoke point and mild flavor, making it a suitable substitute for extra virgin olive oil in cooking.
yellow onion - Substitute with white onion: White onions can be used as a substitute for yellow onions, as they have a similar flavor profile and can be used interchangeably in most recipes.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips can be used as a substitute for carrots in soups, adding a slightly sweeter and nuttier flavor to the dish.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel can be used as a substitute for celery, providing a similar crunchy texture and a hint of licorice flavor to the dish.
zucchini - Substitute with yellow squash: Yellow squash can be used as a substitute for zucchini, as they have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them interchangeable in recipes.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic cloves, providing a convenient alternative with a milder flavor.
Italian seasoning - Substitute with dried oregano, basil, and thyme: A combination of dried oregano, basil, and thyme can be used as a substitute for Italian seasoning, providing a similar flavor profile to the dish.
salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt can be used as a substitute for table salt, providing a similar level of saltiness to the dish.
fresh ground pepper - Substitute with black pepper: Black pepper can be used as a substitute for fresh ground pepper, providing a similar peppery flavor to the dish.
thyme - Substitute with dried marjoram: Dried marjoram can be used as a substitute for thyme, providing a similar earthy and slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
vegetable or chicken broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth can be used as a substitute for vegetable or chicken broth, adding a rich umami flavor to the soup.
red wine vinegar - Substitute with balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar can be used as a substitute for red wine vinegar, providing a slightly sweeter and more complex flavor to the dish.
kidney beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans can be used as a substitute for kidney beans, providing a creamy texture and mild flavor to the soup.
butter beans - Substitute with great northern beans: Great northern beans can be used as a substitute for butter beans, offering a similar creamy texture and mild flavor to the dish.
green beans - Substitute with snap peas: Snap peas can be used as a substitute for green beans, providing a similar crunch and fresh flavor to the soup.
tomatoes - Substitute with canned diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes can be used as a substitute for fresh tomatoes, providing a convenient alternative with a similar flavor to the dish.
tomato paste - Substitute with tomato sauce: Tomato sauce can be used as a substitute for tomato paste, providing a thinner consistency and a slightly less concentrated tomato flavor to the soup.
uncooked rice or pasta - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa can be used as a substitute for rice or pasta, adding a nutty flavor and extra protein to the dish.
fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale can be used as a substitute for fresh spinach, providing a hearty texture and earthy flavor to the soup.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino Romano cheese: Pecorino Romano cheese can be used as a substitute for parmesan cheese, providing a similar salty and tangy flavor to the dish.
How to Beautifully Present Thick Minestrone Soup
Elevate the plating: When presenting the thick minestrone soup, focus on creating a visually appealing presentation. Use a wide-rimmed bowl to showcase the vibrant colors and textures of the soup.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Add a touch of elegance by garnishing the soup with a sprig of fresh basil or a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a burst of fresh flavor.
Homemade bread bowl: Impress the judges by serving the thick minestrone soup in a carefully crafted homemade bread bowl. The aroma and warmth of the bread will complement the hearty flavors of the soup.
Artful drizzle of olive oil: Before serving, delicately drizzle a high-quality extra virgin olive oil over the soup. This adds a luxurious sheen and a hint of fruity flavor to the dish.
Sprinkle of aged parmesan: Finish the presentation with a light dusting of freshly grated parmesan cheese. The nutty and savory notes of the cheese will enhance the overall taste and provide a sophisticated touch to the dish.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Minestrone Soup
- Chef's knife: A versatile tool used for chopping, slicing, and dicing a variety of ingredients.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Stockpot: Ideal for making large batches of soup, stew, or broth.
- Wooden spoon: Used for stirring and mixing ingredients in the pot without scratching the surface.
- Soup ladle: Essential for serving the thick minestrone soup into bowls.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurately measuring out ingredients such as broth, water, and spices.
- Dutch oven: A heavy-duty pot suitable for simmering the soup and ensuring even heat distribution.
- Grater: For grating fresh parmesan cheese to top the soup before serving.
- Tupperware: Used for storing any leftover soup in the refrigerator.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Minestrone Soup
To store leftover minestrone soup, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the soup for up to 5 days.
When reheating refrigerated minestrone soup, you may need to add a little extra broth or water to thin it out, as the pasta or rice will continue to absorb liquid during storage.
For longer storage, freeze the minestrone soup for up to 3 months. To freeze:
- Cool the soup completely to room temperature.
- Transfer the soup to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents.
- Place the containers or bags in the freezer, laying them flat for easier storage and quicker thawing.
To thaw frozen minestrone soup:
- Remove the soup from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw gradually.
- Alternatively, you can thaw the soup in the microwave using the defrost setting, stirring occasionally to ensure even thawing.
When reheating thawed minestrone soup, transfer it to a pot and heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. You may need to add extra broth or water to adjust the consistency, as the pasta or rice may have absorbed more liquid during freezing and thawing.
To maintain the best quality and texture of the vegetables and pasta or rice, consume the thawed and reheated minestrone soup within 2-3 days.
How To Reheat Leftover Minestrone Soup
Stovetop: pour the desired amount of leftover minestrone soup into a saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated through. This method allows you to control the temperature and prevent the soup from boiling, which can cause the vegetables to become mushy and the pasta or rice to overcook.
Microwave: transfer the desired portion of leftover soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until the soup is heated through. Be careful when removing the cover, as the steam can be hot.
Slow cooker: if you have a large amount of leftover minestrone soup, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Pour the soup into the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cover and let the soup warm for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through. This method is ideal for keeping the soup warm for an extended period, making it perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
Oven: preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the desired amount of leftover soup into an oven-safe dish and cover it with a lid or aluminum foil. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the soup is heated through. Stir the soup halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to stir the minestrone soup well to distribute the heat evenly and prevent any cold spots. If the soup appears too thick after reheating, you can add a small amount of broth or water to thin it out to your desired consistency. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed before serving.
Interesting Fact About Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is a traditional Italian dish that varies in ingredients depending on the region. It is a thick and hearty soup that often includes a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta or rice. This versatile soup is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and can be easily customized to suit individual tastes. It's also a great source of fiber and nutrients, making it a healthy and satisfying meal option.
Is Making Minestrone Soup at Home Cost-Effective?
This thick minestrone soup recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With a variety of affordable ingredients like beans, vegetables, and rice or pasta, it offers a hearty and nutritious meal at a low cost. The use of pantry staples and seasonal produce keeps the expenses down, making it a budget-friendly option for families. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-20, making it an excellent choice for those looking to prepare a satisfying and economical meal. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Is Thick Minestrone Soup Healthy or Unhealthy?
This minestrone soup recipe is a nutritious and well-balanced meal. It is packed with a variety of vegetables, including onions, carrots, celery, zucchini, and spinach, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The inclusion of beans adds a good source of plant-based protein and additional fiber. The use of olive oil, a healthy fat, is another positive aspect of this recipe.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Reduce the amount of salt to lower the sodium content
- Use whole grain pasta or rice to increase the fiber content and provide more complex carbohydrates
- Consider using low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth to further reduce the sodium levels
- Add more leafy greens, such as kale or Swiss chard, to boost the nutrient density of the soup
To make this minestrone soup even more nutritious, you could:
- Include additional protein sources, such as lean ground turkey or tofu, to create a more balanced meal
- Experiment with different types of beans, like chickpeas or black beans, to vary the texture and flavor profile
- Add a handful of fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, to enhance the flavor and provide additional antioxidants
- Serve the soup with a side salad or a piece of whole grain bread to round out the meal and add more fiber
Editor's Opinion on This Delicious Minestrone Soup Recipe
This thick minestrone soup recipe is a delightful blend of hearty vegetables, beans, and aromatic herbs. The combination of flavors and textures creates a comforting and satisfying dish. The addition of red wine vinegar adds a subtle tangy note, balancing the richness of the soup. The use of fresh spinach at the end adds a vibrant touch, and the option to serve it in homemade bread bowls elevates the dining experience. Overall, this recipe offers a wholesome and flavorful minestrone soup that is perfect for a cozy family meal or a gathering with friends.
Enhance Your Thick Minestrone Soup Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Perfect Appetizer and Dessert Pairings for Minestrone Soup
Why trust this Thick Minestrone Soup Recipe:
This thick minestrone soup recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that will satisfy your cravings for a comforting meal. The combination of fresh vegetables, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste creates a rich and robust flavor profile. The addition of red wine vinegar adds a delightful tanginess, while the variety of beans and spinach provide a wholesome and nutritious element. The use of parmesan cheese as a finishing touch enhances the overall taste. Trust this recipe to deliver a satisfying and wholesome dining experience.
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