This long summer weather keeps me away from my favorite soups! Minestrone is an Italian soup that usually includes vegetables, pasta, beans, and sometimes meat (you may omit the meat in your vegetarian days). It can be very versatile. You may add whatever vegetables, beans, and pasta you like. I included carrots, celery, tomatoes, and green beans. I also used white beans. Any small pasta will work well in this soup. You may try it with rice too!
Ingredients:
Serves 8-10 ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 leek, diced
1 zucchini, diced
1 cup fresh or frozen green beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 cup small pasta
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large stockpot. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and leek. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add in zucchini, green beans, and diced tomatoes. Stir in vegetable broth and water. Add macaroni, oregano, and basil. Simmer until vegetables and macaroni are tender-about 35 minutes. Season soup with salt and pepper and serve warm.
You may garnish with parmesan cheese, if desired.
