How to make Homemade Minestrone Soup

Did anyone else grow up eating Progresso soup? Maybe it was a Northeast thing, but the second that weather took a turn for cold, Progresso soup was the lunchtime meal of choice. Minestrone soup was one that was always in my pantry and while delicious from the beloved Progresso can, it is truly simple to make.

Convenience food definitely has its place, so don’t get me wrong, I would never try to replace canned soup! But, sometimes you just want that homemade flavor and I am here to tell you that Minestrone soup is easy to make, it can be on the table in about 30 minutes, and is a healthy recipe perfect to usher us into fall.

Today, I am making minestrone soup using some pasta scraps from my homemade ravioli, but you can easily use any macaroni you have on hand. This soup can have a lot of variety, so toss whatever looks good to you into the pot and make it your own. Anyway you choose to mix it up, minestrone soup is the perfect meal for a cozy night in.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

6 cups of vegetable of chicken stock, store bought or homemade

8 ounces of ditalini, small shells, or elbow macaroni

2 tablespoons of butter

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 red onion, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 – 14 ounce can of chopped tomatoes

1 cup of spinach, chopped

1/4 cup of parsley, chopped

1 parmesan cheese rind

1 sprig of thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large stockpot or dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the garlic and saute for another minute before adding the spinach and canned tomatoes. Stir to combine.
3. Adjust the salt level to your liking and add the thyme and parmesan rind prior to adding in the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Once it it boiling, add the macaroni and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 more minutes before removing the cheese rind and thyme. Top with parsley and serve with extra parmesan and crusty bread.