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Homemade Minestrone Soup with Ravioli

Do you love minestrone soup? You know the kind that Olive Garden sells. Well this recipe is nothing like the Olive Garden soup – actually IMHO it is 100 times better. Back in the day, due to lack of awareness, Olive Garden used to be our favorite “Italian” food restaurant. But as we “grew up” we realized that there is nothing close to authentic Italian food on Olive garden’s menu. Now this post is not a rant against the restaurant, Olive Garden remains to be the most popular Italian restaurant chain, just not for us. Their minestrone used to be one of Ms. Little A’s favorite and given her craze about the soup, I decide to try making it at home one time. My southern Heritage cookbook (which I wrote about in this post), came with a recipe of minestrone. So that is where I started my minestrone journey.

Now if you know a little bit about this hearty soup, you probably also know that there are as many recipes for minestrone as there are individual pots of it cooked. This is because minestrone is really more of a lively process than a static recipe. This soup is made with fresh seasonal vegetables, and the common ingredients include beans, garlic, onions, celery, and carrots in a broth with tomatoes and aromatic herbs. It is an easy and delicious meal that you can make with a couple of pantry staples and whatever fresh vegetables you happen to have on hand.

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For most minestrone soups that I have had in restaurants, there is usually elbow macaroni pasta used and I have used that mostly in the past too. But my observation is that as the soup sits for a day (if you have leftovers), the pasta slowly soaks up all the both from the soup and swells, making the soup actually turn into a pasta with a loose, thin sauce. To overcome this issue, I tried making it with cheese ravioli and viola – a genius solution. Uhmm ..I am trying to be modest here but really – the kids loved it, the pasta did not dry out the broth and all is right in the world friends!

Start with a humble beginning of mirepoix (diced onions, carrots and celery sautéed in olive oil), flavor with garlic, add tomatoes, whatever seasonal vegetables you have, beans of your choice (red kidney or white cannellini), broth of your choice (veggie or chicken) and herbs of your choice. Cook on a simmer for about half an hour, adding the pasta in last 10 minutes of cooking. And there you have it!

Ingredients:

Olive oil – 2 tablespoon

Garlic – 2 cloves, minced

White onion – 1 small, diced

Carrots – 2 to 3, peeled and diced

Celery – 1 stalk, diced

Tomatoes – 8 fresh romas, chopped or 2 fresh + 1 can diced tomatoes

Zucchini – 1, cut into 4ths lengthwise and chopped
Vegetable broth – 4 cups

Water – 2  cups
Red kidney beans – 1 (14 ounce) can, rinsed and drained

Fresh rosemary – 1 sprig (optional)

Dried oregano – 1/2 teaspoon

Dried basil – 1 teaspoon

Cheese Ravioli – 10 -12 pieces, frozen

Salt and pepper – to taste

Parmesan cheese – for garnish (optional)

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Method:

Set a heavy bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot on medium high heat and add oil to it. Once the oil heats up add the mirepoix (diced onions, carrots and celery) along with minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened a little bit. Add the rosemary sprig and the tomatoes and continue to sauté for a minute or two. Add the diced zucchini, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes. Take the lid off and add the broth, water and beans along with oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Cover, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium and cook, covered for 20 minutes, adding ravioli in the last 10 minutes of cooking time (using a timer helps to keep track of time).

Check seasoning in the soup, adjust if needed, and serve warm. Garnish with parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy!

Love – Vaishali.

Tools used:

Stockpot

Measuring cups and spoons

Knife and chopping board

Can opener

Spatula/ladle

 

 

30 Comments

  1. Ashli Ferguson

    March 12, 2019 at 11:29 am

    This looks really delicious! I would want to add some toasted ravioli for a side dish haha

  2. Yonnah M

    March 12, 2019 at 11:35 am

    Looks so good. I haven’t had this soup before, but this post has me interested in trying it.

  3. Danielle

    March 12, 2019 at 11:46 am

    Typically not a huge minestrone fan, but I love me some ravioli! Might need to try this!

  4. Cyndi Buchanan

    March 12, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    Yum! This would be the perfect soup for all of the rainy days we have had lately.

    1. Christiana

      March 18, 2019 at 1:32 pm

      This dish looks so enticing, I would love to have a taste of it!

  5. Neil Alvin Nicerio

    March 12, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    Delicious. I haven’t tried this kind of soup before. I would definitely want to try that out.

  6. Taylor Justin

    March 12, 2019 at 6:57 pm

    This looks super tasty. I am always looking for more soup and meatless recipes.

  7. ramzy

    March 13, 2019 at 12:58 am

    it should be delicious, I like all types of food I have to essay it

  8. Samar

    March 13, 2019 at 2:31 am

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
    Loved it, especially the pictures.
    Thanks for sharing.

  9. Ciara

    March 13, 2019 at 3:56 am

    I need to add this to our meal plan next week! It looks really good, never tried ravioli in minestrone before.

    1. Vaishali

      March 13, 2019 at 11:04 am

      Yes. I feel the ravioli doesn’t soak up the broth as much as other past would.

  10. Kelsey

    March 13, 2019 at 8:01 am

    Looks delicious! I’m always looking for new recipes so I’ll give this a try! Thanks!

  11. Cendu

    March 13, 2019 at 9:53 am

    yuuum! get in my belly!! We’ve been having the coldest winter in canada, this soup looks so hearty and comforting, its just what we need. Like a hug in a bowl. <3

  12. Maysz

    March 14, 2019 at 12:34 am

    This soup looks yummy I would try to this soup recipe <3

  13. Nicole

    March 14, 2019 at 7:22 am

    This looks amazing! Always looking for healthy recipes that my kids will eat. Going to try this week.

  14. Monidipa Dutta

    March 14, 2019 at 7:24 am

    I love soup and I must say that this recipe sounds really great

  15. Ellen | ZyraKuma

    March 14, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    Really need a new soup recipe for my cold. Thanks!

  16. Nina Nichols

    March 14, 2019 at 5:54 pm

    Oh my gosh, my stomach crumbles! lol. I love ravioli and this looks so yummy!

  17. Samantha Flores

    March 14, 2019 at 6:18 pm

    Another delicious looking meal! Sounds tasty as well.

  18. Alex

    March 14, 2019 at 10:51 pm

    Pictures speak for itself, all your recipes are fabulous.
    thanks for share

  19. blair villanueva

    March 15, 2019 at 1:25 am

    I am feeling even hungry just reading your delicious recipe. I want this!

  20. ann

    March 15, 2019 at 7:02 am

    I would love to do and try this for my boys. Thanks so much for making us crave LOL

  21. aisasami

    March 15, 2019 at 8:32 am

    I have been in love with Minestrone soup this week because of the cold weather. I will try to make my own!

  22. Jerri Clay

    March 15, 2019 at 9:25 am

    I will have to try this soup one day it looks good.

  23. Danielle

    March 15, 2019 at 10:01 am

    This recipe looks so delicious!! I will have to try and make it ASAP!

  24. Dan @ Style High Guy

    March 15, 2019 at 10:43 am

    Oooooo i love a soup! This looks like a brilliant winter dish!

  25. Sheena Moncatar

    March 15, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    I wonder how it tastes like. I never had this before so I am all curious. Although, I have been to Olive Garden but I just have never had their Minestrone soup. I would want to try your recipe instead because it’s 100 times better! :p

  26. Erin

    March 17, 2019 at 11:26 pm

    This is so yummy.

  27. Adharsh

    March 17, 2019 at 11:39 pm

    Soups are healthy and tasty. Loved your recipe. Thanks for sharing.

  28. JK Darling

    March 19, 2019 at 12:28 am

    This looks heathy and delicious. In fact, I like all your recipes. 🤗

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