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.
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 - ½ teaspoon
Dried basil - 1 teaspoon
Cheese Ravioli – 10 -12 pieces, frozen
Salt and pepper - to taste
Parmesan cheese - for garnish (optional)
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
Ashli Ferguson
This looks really delicious! I would want to add some toasted ravioli for a side dish haha
Yonnah M
Looks so good. I haven’t had this soup before, but this post has me interested in trying it.
Danielle
Typically not a huge minestrone fan, but I love me some ravioli! Might need to try this!
Cyndi Buchanan
Yum! This would be the perfect soup for all of the rainy days we have had lately.
Christiana
This dish looks so enticing, I would love to have a taste of it!
Neil Alvin Nicerio
Delicious. I haven't tried this kind of soup before. I would definitely want to try that out.
Taylor Justin
This looks super tasty. I am always looking for more soup and meatless recipes.
ramzy
it should be delicious, I like all types of food I have to essay it
Samar
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Loved it, especially the pictures.
Thanks for sharing.
Ciara
I need to add this to our meal plan next week! It looks really good, never tried ravioli in minestrone before.
Vaishali
Yes. I feel the ravioli doesn't soak up the broth as much as other past would.
Kelsey
Looks delicious! I'm always looking for new recipes so I'll give this a try! Thanks!
Cendu
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
Maysz
This soup looks yummy I would try to this soup recipe <3
Nicole
This looks amazing! Always looking for healthy recipes that my kids will eat. Going to try this week.
Monidipa Dutta
I love soup and I must say that this recipe sounds really great
Ellen | ZyraKuma
Really need a new soup recipe for my cold. Thanks!
Nina Nichols
Oh my gosh, my stomach crumbles! lol. I love ravioli and this looks so yummy!
Samantha Flores
Another delicious looking meal! Sounds tasty as well.
Alex
Pictures speak for itself, all your recipes are fabulous.
thanks for share
blair villanueva
I am feeling even hungry just reading your delicious recipe. I want this!
ann
I would love to do and try this for my boys. Thanks so much for making us crave LOL
aisasami
I have been in love with Minestrone soup this week because of the cold weather. I will try to make my own!
Jerri Clay
I will have to try this soup one day it looks good.
Danielle
This recipe looks so delicious!! I will have to try and make it ASAP!
Dan @ Style High Guy
Oooooo i love a soup! This looks like a brilliant winter dish!
Sheena Moncatar
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
Erin
This is so yummy.
Adharsh
Soups are healthy and tasty. Loved your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
JK Darling
This looks heathy and delicious. In fact, I like all your recipes. 🤗