Description
Indulge in the comforting warmth of Italian Minestrone Soup (Longevity Soup), a vibrant and nutritious medley of fresh vegetables, hearty legumes, and flavorful broth. This one-pot wonder is perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep, delivering both health benefits and delightful flavors in every spoonful. Packed with fiber-rich ingredients and customizable options, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Enjoy the essence of Italy right at your table with this simple yet satisfying recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery sticks, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, diced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 potato, diced into cubes
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup dried lentils or 1 can cooked lentils
- 1 can (15oz) cannellini beans
- 1 cup small pasta (farfalline or similar)
- 3 cups spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional garnishes: chopped fresh basil or parsley, crusty bread
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, sauté olive oil, onions, carrots, celery, and bay leaves with a pinch of salt for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for another 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
- Add vegetable broth, diced potato, water, and lentils (if using dried); season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then simmer covered for 15-20 minutes.
- If using canned lentils, add them along with the cannellini beans; continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions within the soup; add spinach just before serving to wilt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg