Barefoot Contessa’s Simple Winter Comfort: Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta Recipe

Hearty soups warm the soul, especially when packed with winter minestrone goodness that fills your kitchen with rich, comforting aromas.

Ina Garten’s beloved recipe blends robust vegetables and savory herbs into a delightful Italian-inspired dish.

Her culinary magic transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular meal that feels both rustic and elegant.

Tender vegetables simmer alongside aromatic seasonings, creating layers of deep, satisfying flavor.

The accompanying garlic bruschetta adds a perfect crispy counterpoint to the soup’s velvety texture.

Each spoonful promises a delectable journey through classic Italian comfort food.

You’ll want to grab your largest pot and start chopping for this soul-warming winter classic that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes Into the Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta

• Olive Oil: Adds rich depth and helps sauté vegetables smoothly, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Pancetta: Provides smoky, salty undertones that build complex flavor profile, look for high-quality Italian-style cubes.
• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic aromatic trio creating foundational flavor, select fresh, firm vegetables with vibrant colors.
• Garlic: Introduces intense, pungent essence, choose firm bulbs without sprouting.
• Thyme: Imparts earthy herbal notes, fresh sprigs deliver more robust taste.

• Chicken Stock: Creates soup's hearty base, opt for low-sodium versions to control salt content.
• Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and depth, San Marzano varieties recommended for richness.
• Bay Leaf: Contributes subtle herbal undertones, remove after cooking.
• White Wine: Introduces bright, acidic complexity, select dry varieties.

• Spinach: Provides fresh green color and nutrients, use tender baby spinach for delicate texture.
• Beans: Adds protein and creamy texture, choose cannellini or white beans.
• Cooked Pasta: Offers satisfying substance, small shapes work best.
• Pesto: Delivers vibrant herbal punch, homemade or high-quality store-bought.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle for salty, umami finish, freshly grated preferred.
• Baguette: Creates crispy bruschetta base, day-old bread works wonderfully.
• Garlic Clove: Infuses bread with intense flavor, select plump, firm cloves.

Tools Needed for Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta

• Large Heavy Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the soup with enough space for all ingredients.
• Large Spoons: Perfect for tossing spinach and mixing soup ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing vegetables, baguette, and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables and bread.
• Baking Sheet: Used for toasting bruschetta in the oven.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure stock, salt, and other ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing soup while cooking.

Instructions to Cook Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta

• Soup Foundation

Create a flavorful base by gently sautéing pancetta in olive oil until it develops a light golden color and releases its rich aroma.

• Vegetable Preparation

Layer in a colorful mix of chopped onions, carrots, celery, squash, garlic, and thyme, allowing the vegetables to soften and release their natural sweetness.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in tomatoes and chicken stock, adding bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently, transforming into a robust and comforting winter soup.

• Final Touches

Introduce beans and cooked pasta, warming them through. Fold in fresh spinach until it delicately wilts, then enhance with a splash of white wine and dollop of pesto.

• Bruschetta Creation

Slice baguette at an elegant angle, brushing each piece with olive oil. Toast in a hot oven until edges crisp and turn golden. Finish by rubbing warm bread with fresh garlic for an aromatic kick.

• Serving Presentation

Ladle the steaming soup into wide bowls, crown with a crispy bruschetta slice. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan and drizzle with high-quality olive oil for a luxurious finish.

Make It Your Own: Minestrone & Bruschetta Tips

• Swap seasonal or leftover vegetables like zucchini, kale, or butternut squash to make the soup more versatile and reduce food waste.
• Add cooked shredded chicken, crispy pancetta bits, or cannellini beans for extra protein and heartier texture.
• Prepare the soup base in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add fresh spinach and pasta just before serving to maintain optimal texture.
• Replace regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or rice pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor.
• Introduce depth by adding red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for a more complex taste profile.

How to Present Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta

• Serve with Rustic Warmth: Layer the hot soup in wide, shallow bowls that showcase the colorful vegetables and invite cozy winter dining.
• Pair with Crusty Companion: Top each serving with the golden, garlic-rubbed bruschetta, creating a delightful crunch that complements the soup's softness.
• Cheese Lover's Finishing Touch: Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the soup, allowing it to slightly melt and add a rich, salty dimension to each spoonful.
• Wine-Inspired Indulgence: Serve alongside a glass of crisp white wine that echoes the wine used in the recipe, enhancing the soup's depth and creating a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Planning and Storing Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta

• Batch Cook Wisely: Prepare double the soup quantity and store portions in airtight containers for quick future meals during busy weekdays.
• Refrigerate Carefully: Store the minestrone in sealed containers for 3-4 days, keeping pasta and spinach separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Freeze Smart: Freeze soup base without pasta and spinach for up to 3 months, adding fresh ingredients when reheating to ensure the best taste and consistency.
• Bruschetta Best Practices: Keep toasted bread slices in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days, reheating briefly in the oven to restore crispness before serving.

Hearty Barefoot Contessa Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s winter minestrone blends hearty vegetables and rich flavors into a comforting Italian soup. Crisp garlic bruschetta accompanies this warming dish, offering you a complete meal perfect for cold evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 1.4 L (6 to 8 cups) chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 730 g canned or boxed chopped tomatoes, such as Pomi
• 400 g cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 250 g cooked small pasta, such as tubetti
• 225 g (8 to 10 oz) fresh baby spinach leaves
• 115 g pancetta, ½-inch-diced
• 225 g chopped yellow onions
• 300 g diced carrots (3 carrots)
• 300 g diced celery (3 stalks)
• 250 g (2½ cups) (½-inch) diced peeled butternut squash
• 60 ml (¼ cup) good olive oil
• 120 ml (½ cup) good dry white wine
• 1½ tbsps cloves minced garlic
• 2 tsps fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsps store-bought pesto
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• 1 baguette
• 1 garlic clove, cut in half lengthwise
• Additional good olive oil

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, render pancetta until golden, creating a flavorful foundation for the soup. Add onions, carrots, celery, squash, garlic, and thyme, allowing vegetables to soften and release aromatic oils.
2. Build Liquid Foundation: Introduce tomatoes, chicken stock, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and vegetables to tenderize for approximately 30 minutes.
3. Enhance Soup Complexity: Discard bay leaf, then fold in beans and pre-cooked pasta. Adjust liquid consistency as needed with additional stock. Moments before serving, incorporate spinach, allowing it to wilt delicately. Finish with white wine and pesto, calibrating seasoning to taste.
4. Craft Bruschetta: Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Slice baguette diagonally, brushing each piece with olive oil. Bake until crisp, then elegantly rub with garlic clove to infuse subtle flavor.
5. Presentation Finale: Ladle steaming soup into shallow bowls. Crown with crisp bruschetta, generously shower with Parmesan, and complete with a sophisticated olive oil drizzle. Serve immediately while temperature and flavors are at their peak.

Notes

• Pancetta Precision: Brown pancetta slowly to develop a rich, golden color without burning, which enhances the soup’s depth of flavor.
• Vegetable Layering: Sauté vegetables sequentially to release their individual aromatics, creating a complex and harmonious base for the minestrone.
• Stock Strategy: Keep extra chicken stock on hand to adjust soup consistency, ensuring the perfect balance between thickness and fluidity.
• Finishing Finesse: Add spinach and wine at the last moment to preserve vibrant color, fresh taste, and prevent overcooking delicate ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 20mg