The Best Minestrone Soup Recipe

Minestrone Soup is traditionally from Italy, made with many vegetables and beans with small pasta. A big bowlful is a hearty meal. There are many variations of minestrone soup, here is a basic recipe but do try variations. You can add onions or potatoes, or substitute rice for pasta.

You will need:

14 oz can white beans

5 pints chicken stock

½ cup sliced mushrooms

½ cup chopped green beans

2 chopped carrots

2 sliced zucchini

1 leek

½ cup small shell pasta

14oz can tomatoes, mashed

Black pepper

Grated parmesan cheese

Drain beans, rinse in cold water. Put beans and stock in a large saucepan, start heating the contents while you add the other ingredients.

Add mushrooms, green beans, carrots, zucchini and leek to pan. Bring to the boil, simmer on low for an hour. Add the pasta and tomatoes with the juice in the can, continue cooking for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Season to taste with black pepper.

Serve immediately with crusty bread. Add parmesan cheese to each individual bowl as each person requires.

Serves 6 as a main meal.

If you want this to be a vegetarian recipe, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock