Description
Hearty Italian noodle soup brings comfort and warmth to chilly evenings, blending traditional flavors with homemade simplicity. Rich broth, tender pasta, and aromatic herbs create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach or kale
Protein and Beans:
- 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can cannellini beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Liquids, Seasonings, and Pasta:
- 6 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini, elbow, or orzo)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Grated parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious pot and warm olive oil over medium temperature, introducing chopped onions, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Allow vegetables to soften and become translucent, developing rich aromatic foundations.
- Incorporate minced garlic, fragrant oregano, delicate basil, and zesty red pepper flakes. Gently toast herbs for approximately 60 seconds to unleash their profound essence.
- Pour vegetable or chicken broth into the pot, complementing with robust diced tomatoes. Elevate heat until liquid reaches a vigorous boil, creating a hearty liquid base.
- Carefully introduce dry pasta, reducing heat and allowing noodles to gently simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, monitoring pasta’s progression toward al dente texture.
- Integrate vibrant zucchini chunks, tender spinach leaves, and creamy white beans into the simmering liquid. Continue cooking until vegetables reach perfect tenderness and pasta completes its cooking journey.
- Fine-tune the soup’s flavor profile by seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Artfully distribute the steaming soup into serving vessels, garnishing with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for an elegant finishing touch. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Adapt the soup’s thickness by adjusting broth quantity, adding more for a lighter consistency or reducing for a heartier texture.
- Swap pasta shapes to keep the recipe exciting, like using orzo, small shells, or mini rotini for different meal experiences.
- Consider protein alternatives like shredded chicken or white fish to transform this vegetarian soup into a more substantial main course.
- Prepare extra batches and freeze in portion-sized containers for quick, nutritious meals during busy weekdays, ensuring the zucchini and spinach remain tender when reheated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg