Winter Minestrone Soup (Printable)

Comforting Italian-style soup loaded with seasonal vegetables, beans, and pasta in a fragrant herb broth.

# What You’ll Use:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 4 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

→ Legumes and Grains

10 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 cup small pasta such as ditalini or elbow macaroni

→ Liquids and Seasonings

12 - 6 cups vegetable broth
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

18 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
19 - Chopped fresh parsley
20 - Crusty bread for serving

# How-To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add butternut squash and zucchini cubes. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Bring mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes until squash is tender.
06 - Add cannellini beans, pasta, and kale. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until pasta is cooked and kale is wilted.
07 - Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan and parsley if desired. Serve with crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of butternut squash and kale creates a perfect balance between sweet and earthy that will have you scraping the bottom of your bowl every time.
  • It actually tastes better the next day, making it the ideal make-ahead meal for those busy weeknights when cooking feels impossible.
02 -
  • Adding the pasta directly to the soup means it will continue absorbing liquid in the refrigerator, so your leftovers might be thicker than the original serving.
  • The flavor profile changes dramatically after a day in the refrigerator, developing a deeper, more complex taste that many people prefer to the freshly made version.
03 -
  • Save the rind from a wedge of Parmesan cheese and toss it into the pot while the soup simmers for an incredible depth of umami flavor that will have people wondering what your secret ingredient might be.
  • When reheating leftovers that have thickened overnight, add a splash of broth or even water rather than turning up the heat, which can overcook the vegetables.
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