Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe

If you are craving a cozy, hearty, and nutrient-packed bowl that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, this Winter Minestrone Soup is exactly what you need. Bursting with vibrant vegetables, tender pasta, and savory broth, it strikes the perfect balance between comfort and nourishment. The Winter Minestrone Soup brings together simple ingredients that shine through slow simmering, making it a go-to for family dinners or a satisfying solo lunch when the cold weather settles in.

Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Crafting this Winter Minestrone Soup is surprisingly straightforward, yet each ingredient plays an essential role to create its lovely harmony of flavors and textures. From the fragrant olive oil to the hearty beans and leafy kale, every element adds color, depth, or a satisfying bite.

  • Olive oil: The base for sautéing, it delivers richness and helps vegetables develop beautiful flavor.
  • Onion, chopped: Adds the foundational savory sweetness that forms the heart of the soup.
  • Carrots, diced: Provide natural sweetness and a pop of color for a bright winter dish.
  • Celery stalks, diced: Contribute aromatic freshness and subtle crunch.
  • Garlic, minced: Infuses the soup with warmth and a gentle pungency.
  • Diced tomatoes (canned): Bring vibrant acidity and body to the broth.
  • Vegetable broth: The comforting liquid that carries all the flavors together.
  • Cannellini beans (canned, rinsed): Add creamy texture and a boost of protein.
  • Small pasta (ditalini or similar): Offers delightful chewiness and makes the soup irresistible.
  • Kale, chopped: Infuses the soup with healthy greens and a slight earthiness.
  • Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brighten and unify the soup’s flavor palette.
  • Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other ingredients.

How to Make Winter Minestrone Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Begin by warming the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté these until they are softened and fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step is crucial because it builds the flavor base of your Winter Minestrone Soup, allowing the natural sweetness of the vegetables to emerge and blend beautifully.

Step 2: Add the Broth and Tomatoes

Next, stir in the canned diced tomatoes along with their juices and the vegetable broth. These create a rich and slightly tangy liquid that will carry all the other ingredients. Give everything a good stir to combine, preparing the pot for the hearty additions to come.

Step 3: Incorporate Beans, Pasta, and Kale

Now, add the rinsed cannellini beans, the small pasta, and the chopped kale right into the pot. These components bring heartiness and texture to the Winter Minestrone Soup. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning for an herby essence, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly so the flavors meld as the soup cooks.

Step 4: Simmer Until Tender

Bring the entire soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. This allows the pasta to become tender without overcooking and gives the kale just enough time to soften while retaining a bit of its vibrant green color. The flavors deepen and the soup thickens slightly, resulting in a wonderfully comforting bowl of Winter Minestrone Soup.

How to Serve Winter Minestrone Soup

Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

To make your Winter Minestrone Soup even more inviting, consider adding a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese or a handful of chopped fresh parsley or basil. A drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil over the top can add a lovely richness and beautiful sheen. These simple garnishes elevate both the flavor and appearance.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread or garlic bread, perfect for dunking and soaking up every last drop of the broth. A light side salad with crisp greens and a tangy vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the soup’s hearty warmth, balancing the meal effortlessly.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the Winter Minestrone Soup in rustic ceramic bowls to highlight its comforting vibe. For a festive touch, ladle it into hollowed-out sourdough bread bowls. Adding a swirl of pesto or a sprinkle of chili flakes on each serving can also bring a unique twist that makes soup night extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, place the soup in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve as it sits, so it can be just as delicious, if not more, the next day. Be sure to cool the soup completely before storing.

Freezing

Winter Minestrone Soup freezes wonderfully and makes for an effortless future meal. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving room for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Keep in mind the pasta might soften further after freezing, but the soup will still taste fantastic.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then warm gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to return it to the perfect consistency. Microwaving works too for quick lunches.

FAQs

Can I use other types of beans in Winter Minestrone Soup?

Absolutely! While cannellini beans add a lovely creaminess, you can swap in navy, kidney, or even chickpeas depending on what you have. Each will bring a slightly different texture and flavor, but all complement the soup nicely.

What if I don’t have kale? Is there a substitute?

Yes, you can use other hearty greens like spinach, Swiss chard, or collard greens. Add them toward the end of cooking since they tend to be more delicate than kale, ensuring your soup maintains that perfect texture.

Can Winter Minestrone Soup be made vegan?

It already is vegan as long as you use vegetable broth and skip any cheese garnishes. If you want to keep it strictly plant-based, consider nutritional yeast as a cheesy topping alternative.

Is it possible to make this soup in a slow cooker?

Definitely! After sautéing the vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for about 2 to 3 hours. Add the pasta in the last half hour to prevent it from overcooking.

How can I make Winter Minestrone Soup more filling?

For an extra hearty meal, you can add diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, or even cooked sausage (if not keeping it vegan). Adding an extra handful of beans or a scoop of cooked quinoa before serving also boosts the meal’s staying power.

Final Thoughts

This Winter Minestrone Soup recipe is truly a treasure for cold-weather days, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures that satisfy both body and soul. I can’t recommend it enough for busy weeknights or whenever you need a cozy meal with minimal fuss. Give it a try, and let this soup become your new delicious tradition!

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Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe

A hearty and wholesome Winter Minestrone Soup packed with fresh vegetables, tender pasta, and nutritious beans, perfect for warming up on cold days. This comforting Italian-inspired soup combines kale, carrots, celery, and cannellini beans in a flavorful tomato and vegetable broth base, seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Simmering, Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Liquids and Canned Goods

  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed

Other Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, rinsed cannellini beans, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
  3. Cook Pasta and Kale: Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the small pasta and chopped kale. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the kale is wilted.
  4. Final Adjustments and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, optionally garnished with grated Parmesan or fresh herbs.

Notes

  • You can substitute kale with spinach or Swiss chard based on availability.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace pasta with gluten-free pasta or omit it entirely.
  • Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian and vegan-friendly soup base.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated gently on the stove.
  • Adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving can enhance the flavors.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: winter soup, minestrone, Italian soup, vegetable soup, healthy soup, kale soup, cannellini beans

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