Best 3 Best Minestrone Recipes

Seeking a comforting and hearty meal that tantalizes your taste buds? Look no further than minestrone, a classic Italian soup brimming with wholesome ingredients and vibrant flavors. Originating in rural kitchens, minestrone is a testament to the art of using seasonal vegetables, beans, and herbs to create a symphony of flavors. This versatile soup has been passed down through generations, with each family adding their unique touch, making it a cherished culinary treasure. In this article, we will embark on a culinary journey to discover the secrets of crafting the perfect minestrone, exploring a variety of recipes that showcase the essence of this timeless dish. We will delve into the art of selecting the finest ingredients, mastering the essential cooking techniques, and unlocking the harmonious balance of flavors that make minestrone an irresistible culinary delight.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST MINESTRONE

The Best Minestrone image

While it's positively packed with vegetables, this soup is still hearty and filling. We rendered the fat from pancetta and used it to cook the vegetables to add more depth of flavor. The addition of white beans and pasta help make it a meal.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
3 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 large celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely grated
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces small Yukon potatoes, quartered
1 large zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
One 14-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
4 cups packed curly kale leaves, torn
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans plus liquid
1/2 cup dry ditalini or other small pasta shape
Grated Parmesan, for serving

Steps:

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the meat is golden brown on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the pancetta with a slotted spoon to a large bowl, leaving the fat in the pot.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the potatoes and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Return the pancetta to the pot, stir in the tomatoes and 8 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just tender, about 20 minutes.
Add the kale, beans and their liquid and pasta and continue to cook until the pasta is cooked through and the kale is tender, about 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and season with more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve with grated Parmesan.

BEST MINESTRONE SOUP

BEST MINESTRONE SOUP image

Categories Vegetable

Yield 4 - 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 tbsp oil
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup chopped onion
2 cups shredded spinach
1 can diced tomatoes
fresh haricots verts
2 qt water
4 tsp better than bouillon
15 oz can pinto beans
jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 bay leaf
3 tbls chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp basil
4 slices turkey bacon, diced
2 cups elbow macaroni
salt and pepper
parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat oil in soup pan. Cook carrots, onion and spinach 5 minutes. Add water, cubes, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, green beans, bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste. In blender, puree parsley, garlic, basil and bacon. Stir into soup. Cover, bring to boil, cook over low heat for 45 minutes. Add macaroni and cook, uncovered, 15 minutes more, or until macaroni is tender. Serve with parmesan.

BEST DARN MINESTRONE SOUP AROUND

Best Darn Minestrone Soup Around image

This is a recipe for a Minestrone Soup that is very similar to Lelli's Minestrone soup here in Detroit. Make sure you use a large stock pot, because this recipe is big. SIMPLY AMAZING!

Provided by Chef Ron

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Minestrone

Time 2h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

8 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups chopped onions
4 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
4 (15 ounce) cans mixed vegetables, with liquid
2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, with liquid
2 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid
1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 ¼ teaspoons garlic powder
4 teaspoons dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup canned garbanzo beans, drained
4 cups heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Steps:

In a large stock pot over medium heat, stir and cook onions in butter until soft. Add broth, mixed vegetables, kidney beans, tomatoes, spinach, and tomato paste; simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours.
Using a slotted spoon, remove about half of the vegetables to a blender or food processor, reserving liquid in stock pot. Puree the vegetables until smooth and return them to stock pot.
Stir in garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper, basil, macaroni, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, garbanzo beans, and heavy cream; cook for 1/2 hour, stirring frequently. Pour into bowls and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 587.2 calories, Carbohydrate 43.4 g, Cholesterol 138.2 mg, Fat 40.6 g, Fiber 13.5 g, Protein 15.5 g, SaturatedFat 24.4 g, Sodium 1591.5 mg, Sugar 4.4 g

Tips:

Use fresh, seasonal vegetables. Fresh vegetables will give your minestrone the best flavor. If you can, buy your vegetables from a local farmer's market or grow your own.
Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make minestrone, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors. You can add different vegetables, meats, or beans, or you can change the type of broth you use.
Make a big batch. Minestrone is a great soup to make in a big batch, because it reheats well and is even better the next day. You can freeze minestrone for up to 3 months, or store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serve minestrone with a side of bread or salad. Minestrone is a hearty soup that can be served as a main course or as a side dish. If you're serving it as a main course, pair it with a side of bread or salad.

Conclusion:

Minestrone is a delicious and versatile soup that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and it's also a healthy and affordable meal option. With so many different ways to make minestrone, you're sure to find a recipe that you love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give minestrone a try.