Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe - Laura Vitale - Laura in the Kitchen Episode 332

pasta

🥗Healthier: whole grain pasta

💰Cheaper: rice

Whole grain pasta is more nutritious, while rice is often cheaper.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: homemade vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water

Homemade broth is healthier, while water is a budget-friendly option.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot until hot.

Add 1 cup of chopped pancetta and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden.

Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Remove excess fat from the pot, leaving just a little for cooking the vegetables.

Add 1 cup each of chopped carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and celery to the pot; season lightly with salt and pepper.

Cook the vegetables for 7 to 10 minutes until they develop color.

Add 1 cup of torn Swiss chard leaves and cook for 2 minutes until tender.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds.

Add 1 can of rinsed cannellini beans, 1 cup of chopped canned tomatoes, the cooked pancetta, and 4 cups of beef stock; stir well.

Add 1 dried bay leaf and 1 sprig of fresh rosemary.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and let it simmer for 45 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high, remove the bay leaf, and add 1 cup of whole wheat pasta.

Cook until the pasta is done, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Stir in fresh parsley before serving and top with grated Parmigiano.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary