Superfood Minestrone
Loaded with cannellini beans, green beans, kale, whole-grain pasta, and aromatic herbs, it’s a fiber-rich, veggie-forward soup that feeds a crowd and fuels your day.
Superfood Minestrone
Servings: 12 (Serving size: 1 cup)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (2 cups)
- 2 medium carrots, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
- 2 large celery stalks, sliced 1/4-inch-thick on a diagonal (~3/4 cup)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 3–4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 tsp dried parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 lb green beans, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (~2 1/2 cups)
- 4–5 cups chopped kale leaves, stems removed
- 1 cup dry whole-grain pasta (elbows, shells, rotini, or penne)
- 1/2 cup torn fresh basil, optional for garnish
Instructions:
- Soften the Aromatics: Mist a large pot or Dutch oven with oil spray and warm over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, salt, and black pepper. Cook ~6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Spices: Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, broth, thyme, rosemary, parsley, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta separately according to package directions, but reduce cook time by 1–2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Finish with the Greens: Remove bay leaves, then stir in green beans and kale. Simmer 4 minutes until beans soften and kale wilts. Stir in pasta. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
