Savory and satisfying, this minestrone soup is the perfect bowl to sit down with after a hectic day. Super hearty, it can be served as a main dish with some crusty Italian bread. Caramelizing the onions with pork deepens the flavor of the soup by adding a little sweetness. Filled with carrots, celery, cabbage, chickpeas, and other goodies, we love the different textures in this minestrone soup. Broken spaghetti soaks up the flavor of the soup. Adding a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan at the end is a must. My aunt got this recipe from an Italian chef in Center City Philly way back in the 50s. My family loves it. I think it's very easy and especially delicious with a loaf of crusty Italian bread and butter.
Ingredients :
- 1/4 lb. - salt pork diced
- 2 medium onions
- diced
- 1 clove(s) garlic minced (I use more
- it's optional)
- 1/2 cup(s) sliced celery
- 1/2 cup(s) sliced carrots
- 1 cup(s) chopped cabbage
- 1/4 cup(s) chopped parsley
- 1 quart(s) chicken broth (fresh or canned)
- 1 1/2 cup(s) canned chickpeas
- drained
- 1 cup(s) canned kidney beans
- drained and rinsed
- 1 can(s) diced tomatoes (16 oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon(s) basil
- 1/4 teaspoon(s) thyme
- 1 cup(s) chopped escarole or 1/4 c chopped frozen spinach
- 1/2 cup(s) broken spaghetti
- - salt & pepper
- to taste
- 1 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese
Intructions :
- Brown salt pork and onions in a large pot on medium-low heat until they have a nice caramelized color.
- Add garlic
- celery
- carrots
- cabbage
- and parsley. Saute in the pot with the onions for 3-5 minutes.
- Add 4 cups of chicken broth.
- Add the remaining ingredients except the last five.
- Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add escarole (or chopped spinach) and spaghetti. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve and sprinkle the cheese on top of each serving. Top it off with fresh crusty Italian bread and butter. You can double or triple this recipe according to your needs.
Rated 5/5 based on 96 Reviews
Keyword : italian-minestrone soup-Italian-Beef Soups