Description
Hearty Italian noodle soup brings comfort and warmth to chilly evenings, blending traditional Mediterranean flavors with simple, nourishing ingredients. Simmering broth, tender pasta, and aromatic herbs invite you to savor a classic dish that warms both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 L) vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) (411 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup (240 ml) small pasta (like ditalini, elbow, or orzo)
- 1 (15 oz) (425 g) can cannellini beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (30 g) baby spinach or kale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 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
- Sauté Aromatics: Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium flame. Gently sweat onion, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their delicate flavors, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Enhance Fragrance: Introduce minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, stirring continuously to prevent burning and allow herbs to bloom, creating an aromatic base.
- Build Liquid Foundation: Pour in broth and diced tomatoes, elevating heat to generate a rolling boil that will infuse the soup with robust flavors.
- Incorporate Pasta and Vegetables: Add pasta and allow it to dance in the simmering liquid until nearly tender. Incorporate zucchini, spinach, and beans, continuing to cook until vegetables reach perfect doneness and pasta becomes fully al dente.
- Final Seasoning: Calibrate flavor profile by delicately introducing salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting to personal preference.
- Presentation: Ladle the steaming, vibrant soup into warm serving bowls. Optional garnish includes a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley to add visual appeal and depth of flavor. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Cook onions, carrots, and celery slowly to develop deep, rich flavor without burning. Stir frequently and keep heat at medium to prevent browning.
- Add pasta later in the cooking process to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente texture. Watch cooking time closely to avoid mushy noodles.
- Add delicate vegetables like spinach and zucchini towards the end to preserve their texture and vibrant color. This prevents them from becoming soggy or losing nutritional value.
- Easily make this soup gluten-free by using alternative pasta like chickpea or rice noodles. For protein variations, swap beans or add shredded chicken for extra heartiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg