Minestrone Soup

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A simmering pot of Minestrone Soup is one of my favorite ways to welcome Fall into the kitchen. The wonderful aroma of tomatoes, garlic and herbs fills the house while colorful vegetables, tender beans and pasta turns a simple soup into a hearty meal. Minestrone is wonderfully rustic and forgiving~use the vegetables you have on hand and make your own. Add a loaf of warm, crusty bread and plenty of freshly grated Parmesan....dinner is served!

 

Minestrone Soup 

2 T extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 lb ground Italian Sausage  

2 stalks celery, diced

1 large carrot, diced

1/3 lb. green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/2" pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)

2/3 cup peas

3 red potatoes, cooked and diced

2/3 cup frozen corn  

1 tsp dried oregano or 1 Tablespoons of fresh oregano, chopped

1 tsp. dried basil or 1  Tablespoon of fresh basil, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, unsalted

1 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes

6 cups chicken broth, I use Swanson

1 15 ounce can low sodium kidney beans, drained and rinsed 

1 cup elbow or Ditalini shape pasta 

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil 

Heat the olive oil in large pot over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned. Remove to plate. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes, add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the celery and carrot and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the green beans, peas, potatoes, oregano and basil. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Cook 3 more minutes.

Add the diced and crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 10 minutes, Stir in Kidney beans, sausage and pasta and cook until the pasta is cooked and vegetables tender, about 10 minutes, add the frozen corn. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

 Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan and chopped fresh basil. I serve with a good crusty bread!

This is the kind of soup that seems to taste even better the next day, after all the layers of flavor have had time to mingle together. I love to make a huge pot so there's plenty tucked away for another chilly evening. A warm bowl of minestrone, a piece of crusty bread and a cozy Fall night~sometimes the simple meals really are the best!