Description
Comforting Tuscan pasta soup delivers a heartwarming blend of robust Italian flavors and simple ingredients. Simmering herbs, tender pasta, and rich broth create a delightful meal you can savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) diced tomatoes
- ½ cup (90 grams) small pasta (like ditalini, macaroni, or orzo)
- 1 cup (150 grams) cooked beans (cannellini, chickpeas, or kidney beans)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 cup (30 grams) fresh spinach or kale (optional)
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for brightness)
- Fresh parsley or parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium flame, introducing chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté the aromatics until they become translucent and tender, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and ground pepper. Elevate the heat to generate a robust boil, creating a flavorful liquid base.
- Gently introduce kidney beans and pasta into the simmering liquid, reducing temperature to maintain a gentle bubbling. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches an al dente consistency and beans become perfectly heated.
- Incorporate fresh leafy greens like spinach or kale, letting them wilt gracefully into the soup’s vibrant landscape. The greens will soften and integrate seamlessly within moments.
- Extinguish the heat and brighten the soup’s profile with a refreshing splash of lemon juice. Enhance the presentation by garnishing with delicate fresh parsley or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese. Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls and serve immediately for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Optimize vegetable texture by cutting into uniform, small pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
- Choose short pasta shapes like shells or rotini that capture broth and ingredients beautifully, creating more interesting bites.
- Transform this recipe into a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with chickpea or quinoa pasta, maintaining nutritional value and hearty consistency.
- Enhance protein content by adding rotisserie chicken, white beans, or tofu for a more substantial and satisfying meal that works perfectly for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg