Winter Minestrone Soup (Printable version)

Hearty Italian-style soup loaded with butternut squash, kale, and vegetables in a flavorful broth.

# Needed ingredients:

→ 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 oz) diced tomatoes
09 - 4 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

→ Legumes and Grains

10 - 1 can (15 oz) 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 make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add cubed butternut squash and diced zucchini. 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 and cook for 15 minutes until butternut squash is just tender.
06 - Add drained cannellini beans, pasta, and chopped kale. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until pasta is cooked and kale is wilted.
07 - Remove bay leaf from soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve with crusty bread.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It somehow tastes even better the next day after the herbs have had a chance to settle and mingle.
  • You can throw in almost any stray vegetable from your crisper drawer without upsetting the delicate balance of flavors.
02 -
  • If you cook the pasta for too long it will soak up all your broth and turn into a thick stew.
  • Adding the kale at the very end keeps it from turning into a mushy gray mess in the pot.
03 -
  • Always cut your vegetables into uniform sizes so they all finish cooking at exactly the same time.
  • A tiny splash of balsamic vinegar right before serving brightens all the heavy winter flavors instantly.
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