Heat Up
Posted: January 20, 2014 Filed under: sides & soups, veggies | Tags: comfort food, easy, food, meatless monday, minestrone, pasta, recipes, soup, vegetarian 11 CommentsSo far it would seem 2014 is only about one thing. Care to take guess, people? No? Well, I’ll just tell you.
It’s cold. Cold, cold, cold.
But fortunately, that means we’re smack-dab in the middle of soup and grilled cheese season. And you simply can’t have soup and grilled cheese season without a hot bowl of soup. Duh.
Normally I prefer my grilled cheese with tomato soup, but as any 6 year old will tell you, pretty much any hot bowl of soup is perfect for dunking your sandwich. This hearty minestrone uses a healthy portion of winter vegetables, tomatoes and beans to create a grilled cheese worthy soup – that tastes just as good on its own. It also doesn’t take too long to go from stockpot to soup bowl so you can eat up and heat up in no time.
Winter Minestrone
1 medium onion, chopped
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes with basil, garlic & oregano
1 small butternut squash, cut into small cubes
3 medium carrots, chopped
1 15 oz can of navy beans, rinsed & drained
½ to 3/4 cup of ditalini (or other small pasta)
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
In a large stockpot, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Add the tomatoes (including juice) and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes. Add the squash, carrots, beans and 6 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Add the pasta and simmer until tender.
Right before serving, stir in the grated Parmesan. Ladle into bowls and then eat along with a grilled cheese sandwich.
I have been making so many soups during the winter months like my favorite vegan chili here: http://milesforthought.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/flow-running/ will have to add this to the rotation!
Ooo, that sounds tasty too.
Very nice Tommy. This looks easy and delicious. Eldest daughter plans a minestrone as part of her current “soupfest”.
Thanks Conor. Soupfest sounds amazing.
Yum! This looks like the perfect soup to warm you right up! 🙂
It really is. Perfect for cold days when it’s only 16 degrees (like today!).
I know it sounds crazy (since it’s 75+ degrees here in CA), but I’m so jealous of your cold weather!! I’d love nothing more than to be snuggled up eating this delicious soup. Sounds awesome!
75? I’m jealous of your nice weather. Why don’t we trade for a few days? I’ll enjoy the California sun and you can come to Boston where it’s a balmy 16 degrees. Don’t worry – they will be plenty of hot soup! 🙂
Hello Tom(my)! This looks great, we’ve had some pretty cold weather this winter. Hopefully spring will arrive on Feb. 15 as normal.:)
This looks good! Hope you don’t mind that I linked it on my Facebook page…
https://www.facebook.com/simmerdown2014?ref=hl
Thanks Maura!