Imagine a steaming pot of comfort that transforms ordinary ingredients into a symphony of flavors, warming you from the inside out. This Winter Minestrone Soup isn't just a meal—it's a culinary hug that promises to chase away the coldest winter chills. Packed with vibrant vegetables, creamy cannellini beans, and served alongside crispy garlic bruschetta, this Italian-inspired recipe is about to become your new cold-weather obsession. Get ready to discover a soup so delicious, it'll make you forget all about the frosty temperatures outside!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup pasta (small shapes)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices of bread
- 2 cloves garlic, halved
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare all vegetables by washing and dicing carrots and celery into uniform small pieces, ensuring they will cook evenly in the soup.
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced carrots and celery, sautéing for approximately 5-6 minutes until they begin to soften and release their aromatic qualities.
- Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to begin melding together.
- Add cannellini beans, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become tender and flavors to develop.
- During the last 10 minutes of cooking, add pasta and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until pasta is al dente and has absorbed some of the soup's liquid.
- While soup is simmering, prepare bruschetta by toasting bread slices until golden brown. Immediately rub each slice with halved garlic cloves and drizzle with olive oil.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed. If the soup seems too thick, add a little more broth to reach desired consistency.
- Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve immediately with garlic bruschetta on the side for dipping.
Tips
- Vegetable Prep is Key: Dice your carrots and celery into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Layer Your Flavors: Sauté vegetables first to develop a deeper, richer taste profile before adding liquids.
- Pasta Perfection: Add pasta in the last 10 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain the ideal al dente texture.
- Broth Consistency: Keep extra vegetable broth on hand to adjust the soup's thickness. Some liquid will be absorbed by pasta, so you might need to add more.
- Bruschetta Hack: For extra flavor, lightly toast your bread and rub with garlic while it's still warm to help release maximum garlic essence.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
