This minestrone soup is a favorite in my house as soon as there is the slightest chill in the air! Adapted from a recipe found in Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa cookbook, we boosted the nutritional content of this soup by adding kale and using a whole grain in place of pasta.

This soup is packed with fiber-rich vegetables like carrots, celery, butternut squash, and tomatoes. Butternut squash is a favorite fall vegetable because it is so high in immune-boosting vitamin A (one cup provides 450% of your daily needs) and vitamin C (one cup provides 50% of your daily needs).

The cannellini beans provide plant-based protein and more fiber, making this a filling, hearty soup that works well as an entree.

Autumn Minestrone Soup

Adapted from a recipe found in Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa cookbook, we boosted the nutritional content of this minestrone soup by adding kale and using a whole grain in place of pasta.

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Course Soups

Servings 6 -8 servings

Cuisine Mediterranean, Mediterranean Diet

Ingredients

 

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• olive oil
• 4 ounces pancetta 1/2" dice
• 1 1/2 cups yellow onion 1/2" dice
• 2 cups carrots 1/2" dice
• 1 cup celery 1/2" dice
• 2 1/2 cups butternut squash peeled, 1/2" dice
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves chopped
• 26 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 6-8 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1 bay leaf
• kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 15 ounce can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
• 1 cup of your favorite cooked whole grain ex. farro or barley
• 2 cups dinosaur kale chopped
• 1/2 cup good dry white wine optional
• 2 tablespoons pesto
• freshly grated parmesan cheese to garnish

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Instructions

 

• Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the pancetta and cook over medium-low heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. 
• Add the onions, carrots, celery, squash, garlic, and thyme, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
• Add the tomatoes, 6 cups of stock, bay leaf, 1 1/2 tsp pepper, and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
• Remove the bay leaf. Add beans and cooked grain and heat through. The soup should be thick, but you can add more stock to thin as desired.
• Just before serving, add chopped kale, pesto, and white wine (if using) and stir over heat, just until kale is wilted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

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