Minestrone Soup

In honor of World Vegetarian Day, I would like to share a vegetarian recipe of mine that is super delicious!  When you get a chance, also check out this recipe post for my favorite meatless meal:  Meatless Dinner Recipe – Grilled Portobello Mushrooms.

I never ate beans until I tried minestrone soup, and even after then I still denied the fact that I did so.  It was a texture thing for me.  I am over it (yet I wondered where my oldest son could have gotten his food texture issues from…eh heeemmmm.

That probably would be me.)  Here is my recipe:

 MINESTRONE SOUP

INGREDIENTS

1 onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 large carrot, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1 small zucchini, diced

1.5 cups green beans, cut in thirds

2 tablespoons olive oil

Pinch of dried oregano

Pinch of dried basil

1 large can of diced tomatoes (or you can dice your own – I’d say 3 medium tomatoes)

1 medium can of crushed tomatoes

6 cups vegetable broth (I go for the reduced or no-sodium)

1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup elbow pasta

Parmesan, grated

DIRECTIONS

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the celery and carrot and cook until they begin to soften about 5 minutes. Stir in the green beans, dried oregano, and basil, salt, and pepper to taste; cook 3 more minutes.

Add the diced and crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the kidney beans and pasta and cook until the pasta and vegetables are tender about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Ladle into bowls and top with the parmesan.

You can switch out the kidney beans for another bean of your liking, or add even more beans then mentioned above.  I love adding chickpeas and white beans.  Also, choose a pasta that you favor – maybe dittalini, or small shells!

 

What vegetarian dishes are your favorite?  Please share in the comments section!