How to Make the Best Minestrone Soup
My Grandma's easy minestrone soup recipe is one of the healthiest vegetable-loaded soups you'll make, and it tastes far better than any of those Olive Garden copycat recipes thanks to the secret ingredient in the savory broth.
Servings 8 - 10
Calories 327kcal
Ingredients
- 4-5 slices bacon roughly sliced into bite size pieces
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- ⅔ cup chopped leeks white part only
- ⅔ cup chopped celery
- 3 quarts beef stock (12 cups)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2-3 chunks of Parmesan cheese rind
- 1 ½ cups potatoes
- 1 cup small macaroni
- 1 15- ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15- ounce can red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- ⅔ cup frozen peas thawed
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the bacon to a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat and cook until browned but not crispy.
- Add the onion, carrots, leeks and celery then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the beef stock, kosher salt, pepper, and cheese rinds. Bring to a boil then reduce to a gently rolling simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, partially covered with a lid.
- Add the potatoes, macaroni, and tomatoes, then partially cover with the lid, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes more.
- Add the kidney beans and peas, and simmer until warmed through. Taste for seasoning and adjust to your taste.
- Just before serving, add the grated Parmesan cheese and serve sprinkled with more Parmesan if you’d like.
Notes
Make your own homemade beef broth/stock with this recipe.
Or, use a vegetable broth instead.
Or, use a vegetable broth instead.