Hearty Minestrone Recipe

Hearty Minestrone Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Read reviews (2)

Rate recipe

“This is my all-time favorite soup. I love make big batches and freeze some for later. This hearty dish reminds me of spaghetti and sauce in soup form!” -Katie Koziolek of Hartland, Minnesota

[X]

Rate Hearty Minestrone Recipe

Click on stars to rate

Would you make this recipe again?

Write a review

[X]

Hearty Minestrone Recipe

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 45 min.

Yield: 12 Servings

20 45 65

Ingredients

1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cups tomato juice
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
3 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar, optional
1/8 teaspoon pepper
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (for each batch):
1/2 cup water
1 cup uncooked ziti or small tube pasta

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook the pork, celery and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.
Stir in the tomatoes, beans, tomato juice, tomato sauce, broth, carrots, zucchini, Italian seasoning, salt, sugar if desired and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until carrots are tender.
Transfer 6 cups of soup to a freezer container; cool. Freeze for up to 3 months. Add water and pasta to remaining soup; bring to a boil. Cover and cook until pasta is tender.
To use frozen soup: Thaw in the refrigerator; transfer to a large saucepan. Stir in water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add pasta; cover and cook until tender. Yield: 2 batches (6 servings each).

Nutritional Facts 1 cup equals 242 calories, 7 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 25 mg cholesterol, 853 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 15 g protein.

Originally published as Hearty Minestrone in Simple & Delicious March/April 2008, p19