Vegetarian Italian Minestrone: Hearty, Flavorful, and Meat-Free

Meatless Italian Minestrone Recipe

🕒 Cook Time: 30 minutes | 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes | 🕒 Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 350.4 per serving
Fat: 4.2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2.8mg
Sodium: 275mg | Carbohydrates: 64.3g | Fiber: 14.2g | Sugar: 11.8g
Protein: 18g

Description:

A hearty and satisfying meal awaits with this Meatless Italian Minestrone. You won’t miss the meat in this dish, which boasts low calorie, low fat, low sodium content, and is packed with fiber. Perfect for a wholesome and nutritious meal any time of the year.

Ingredients:

• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 1/3 onion, diced
• 1/2 garlic clove, minced
• 3 cups no-salt-added diced tomatoes
• 2 cups cabbage, shredded
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1 1/3 cups reduced-sodium tomato juice
• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
• 1 tsp dried basil leaves
• 1/4 tsp dried elbow macaroni
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Fresh ground pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat.

2. Add chopped celery, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot.

3. Cook and stir until the vegetables are crisp-tender and aromatic.

4. Stir in diced tomatoes, shredded cabbage, and sliced carrots, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

5. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, allowing the flavors to meld together.

6. Stir in reduced-sodium tomato juice, drained and rinsed cannellini beans, red kidney beans, and garbanzo beans.

7. Add chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano leaves, dried basil leaves, and season with fresh ground pepper and salt according to your taste preferences.

8. Continue to simmer the minestrone until the beans are heated through and the flavors have developed, approximately 15-20 minutes.

9. Meanwhile, cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

10. Just before serving, stir in the cooked elbow macaroni into the minestrone, ensuring it’s well incorporated.

11. Serve the Meatless Italian Minestrone hot, garnished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.

This Meatless Italian Minestrone is a delightful blend of vegetables, beans, and aromatic herbs, creating a comforting bowl of goodness that’s both nutritious and delicious. Enjoy the heartiness of this dish without the guilt, and savor each spoonful of this Italian-inspired classic!