Spill-the-Beans Minestrone

Name: Spill-the-Beans Minestrone
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Cuisine: Italian Recipes, Italian Soups, Italian Vegetarian Recipes
Ingredients: 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth; 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up; 2 cups chopped fresh kale; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup uncooked small pasta shells; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 6 teaspoons shredded Parmesan cheese

A meal in itself, here's a hearty soup from Reuben Tsujimura in Walla Walla, Washington that's chock-full of good-for-you veggies and vitamins. Serve with crunchy breadsticks and no one will even miss the meat!

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up
2 cups chopped fresh kale
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup uncooked small pasta shells
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
6 teaspoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute onion in oil until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the broth, beans, tomatoes, kale, water, pasta, Italian seasoning and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle each serving with cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 238 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 738mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 8g fiber), 13g protein.

Originally published as Spill-The-Beans Minestrone Soup in Light & Tasty December/January 2008

Reviews

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Average Rating:

julie loveless

Jan 15, 2018

a great meatless meal w/ fresh bread
carrizales

Apr 4, 2012

This is the recipe I've been searching for. We tried it from the magazine years ago--then I lost the recipe. So glad to find it again! We are vegetarians, and this is a perfect soup for us! Our favorite minestrone!
trixie99

Nov 16, 2009

I've made this several times and have always enjoyed. Very easy and quick. One change I made was to increase the broth to 3 cans and skip the water, and add the pasta after the water boils.
smb1976

Oct 31, 2009

Loved this recipe. Quick and very easy to prepare. My husband likes meat in his soup so I always add turkey kielbasa.
tkmaples

Feb 16, 2009

I have made this soup several times and always get great reviews. My husband is not a soup person and he likes it along with many picky eater children.