Nigella Minestrone Soup, a hearty blend of vegetables including carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, and cannellini beans. Serves 8, ready in about 30 minutes. Packed with flavor from herbs and macaroni, it’s a comforting and nutritious meal in a bowl.
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🧡 Why You’ll Love This Minestrone Soup Recipe:
- Abundant Vegetable Variety: This recipe boasts a colorful array of vegetables, including carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans, and tomatoes, providing a wholesome and nutritious meal.
- Hearty and Satisfying: Loaded with vegetables and beans, this soup is both filling and satisfying, making it a perfect main course for lunch or dinner.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: With simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe can be whipped up in no time, ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Health Benefits: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber from the vegetables and beans, this soup promotes overall health and well-being.
- Comforting and Flavorful: The aromatic blend of herbs and spices adds depth and richness to the soup, creating a comforting and flavorful eating experience.
❓ What Is Nigella’s Minestrone Soup Recipe?
Nigella’s Minestrone Soup is a wholesome blend of carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, and cannellini beans, seasoned with basil, oregano, and thyme. Simmered in vegetable broth with macaroni, it’s a comforting, flavorful, and quick-to-make dish.
🥕 Nigella Minestrone Soup Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen green beans
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 14 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, for garnish
🥘 How To Make Nigella Minestrone Soup
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until softened.
- Add diced carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans to the pot. Stir in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth.
- Mix in rinsed and drained cannellini beans. Season with dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Allow the soup to simmer for about 20 minutes. Add elbow macaroni to the pot and cook until tender.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Broth Choice: Use high-quality vegetable broth or homemade broth for rich flavor. You can also use chicken broth if you’re not strictly vegetarian.
- Texture Variation: Consider adding a variety of beans such as kidney beans or chickpeas for texture variation and added protein.
- Macaroni Choice: Choose your favorite pasta shape for the soup. If you prefer a gluten-free option, use rice or quinoa pasta.
- Seasoning Adjustment: Taste the soup as it cooks and adjust the seasoning accordingly. You may need more or less salt depending on the saltiness of your broth.
- Garnish Enhancements: Experiment with different garnishes like freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added flavor.
🥗 What To Serve With Minestrone Soup?
Serve Minestrone Soup with crusty bread or White bread for dipping, or alongside a fresh green salad tossed with vinaigrette for a heartier meal, pair with a grilled cheese sandwich or a side of cooked pasta.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Minestrone Soup?
- Refrigerate: Allow Leftovers Minestrone Soup to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Portion cooled Leftovers Minestrone Soup into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some space for expansion and freeze for up to 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Minestrone Soup?
- On The Stovetop: Transfer Leftovers Minestrone Soup to a saucepan and heat over medium-low stirring occasionally it takes about 5-10 minutes.
- In The Microwave: Place Leftovers Minestrone Soup in a microwave-safe bowl cover heat it for 2-3 minutes stirring halfway through.
FAQs
What are the typical vegetables used in Minestrone Soup?
Common vegetables in Minestrone Soup include carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, and green beans, but you can customize with your favorites.
Is Minestrone Soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, Minestrone Soup is excellent for meal prep. Simply portion it into individual containers and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.
Can I make Minestrone Soup spicy?
Yes, you can add a dash of red pepper flakes or hot sauce to give your Minestrone Soup a spicy kick, adjusting the amount to suit your taste preferences.
Is Minestrone Soup healthy?
Yes, Minestrone Soup is typically low in calories and high in fiber and nutrients due to its abundance of vegetables and beans.
How can I make Minestrone Soup thicker?
To thicken Minestrone Soup, you can puree a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or add a slurry of cornstarch and water, stirring until the desired consistency is reached.
How can I add more flavor to my Minestrone Soup?
Enhance the flavor of your Minestrone Soup by adding aromatics like garlic and onions, using high-quality broth, and seasoning generously with herbs and spices.
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Nigella Pea And Ham Risotto Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 141kcal
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 868mg
- Potassium: 397mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 3185IU
- Vitamin C: 17.9mg
- Calcium: 63mg
- Iron: 2.2mg
Nigella Minestrone Soup
Description
Nigella Minestrone Soup, a hearty blend of vegetables including carrots, celery, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, and cannellini beans. Serves 8, ready in about 30 minutes. Packed with flavor from herbs and macaroni, it’s a comforting and nutritious meal in a bowl.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until softened.
- Add diced carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans to the pot. Stir in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth.
- Mix in rinsed and drained cannellini beans. Season with dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Allow the soup to simmer for about 20 minutes. Add elbow macaroni to the pot and cook until tender.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
- Broth Choice: Use high-quality vegetable broth or homemade broth for rich flavor. You can also use chicken broth if you’re not strictly vegetarian.
- Texture Variation: Consider adding a variety of beans such as kidney beans or chickpeas for texture variation and added protein.
- Macaroni Choice: Choose your favorite pasta shape for the soup. If you prefer a gluten-free option, use rice or quinoa pasta.
- Seasoning Adjustment: Taste the soup as it cooks and adjust the seasoning accordingly. You may need more or less salt depending on the saltiness of your broth.
- Garnish Enhancements: Experiment with different garnishes like freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added flavor.