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–+ servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Squash Lover's Minestrone

Loads of veggies (including butternut squash AND zucchini!) simmered with beans and pasta in a flavorful broth. Nothing cozier than a good minestrone (and this is definitely a good one).
Yield: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion diced; about 1 cup
  • 2 medium carrots peeled & diced; about 1 cup
  • 1 stalk celery diced; abou 1/2 cup
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced; about 1 tablespoon
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 15 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes 1 can
  • 15 ounces cooked kidney beans 1 can; drained and rinsed
  • 2 Yukon gold potatoes diced; about 2 cups (optional)
  • 2 cups diced butternut squash from 1/2 small squash
  • 1/s teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 parmesan rind about the size of a domino
  • 1 small zucchini diced; about 1 cup
  • 1 cup pasta choose a small to medium tubular pasta like macaroni, penne, casarecce, torchio etc - though any pasta will do
  • 1 ounce baby spinach lightly chopped; about 1 cup packed
  • 1/4 cup flat-leasf Italian parsley chopped
  • Additional freshly shredded parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

  • Add olive oil to a large pot over medium-low heat. When hot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 7-8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for another minute, until fragrant.
  • Stir in the broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, potatoes (if using), salt, and pepper. Drop in the parmesan rind. Increase heat to high and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to low until the soup is at a simmer. Let simmer for about 20 minutes, until the potato (if using) is tender.
  • Stir in the zucchini and pasta. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, just until the pasta is barely tender.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in the spinach and parsley until wilted. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
  • Ladle into bowls and pass with plenty of parmesan and crusty bread.

Notes

Loads of veggies (including butternut squash AND zucchini!) simmered with beans and pasta in a flavorful broth. Nothing cozier than a good minestrone (and this is definitely a good one).

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 280kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 143mg, Potassium: 922mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 9181IU, Vitamin C: 33mg, Calcium: 96mg, Iron: 4mg