Baked Black Olive Minestrone
A hearty baked minestrone featuring tender beef, vegetables, black olives, and pasta, enriched with Italian herbs and Parmesan, perfect for cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced carrots
- 1 cup small seashell macaroni ⓘ
- 2 cups sliced zucchini ⓘ
- Grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 cup liquor from olives ⓘ
- 1 1/2 pounds lean beef stew meat ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onions ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil ⓘ
- 3 (10 1/2 oz.) cans beef broth ⓘ
- 2 cans water ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 (15 1/2 oz.) can kidney beans ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups pitted black olives ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut beef into 1 1/4-inch cubes.
- Mix beef, chopped onions, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a Dutch oven or heavy saucepan.
- Add olive oil and stir to coat the meat evenly.
- Brown uncovered in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, stirring once or twice.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- Add beef broth, water, and Italian herb seasoning.
- Cover and cook for 1 hour until the meat is almost tender.
- Remove from oven and stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, olives, liquor from olives, carrots, and macaroni.
- Sprinkle sliced zucchini on top.
- Cover and return to oven to bake for 40 to 45 minutes longer until macaroni is tender.
- Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider caramelizing the onions before adding the beef. If you don't have seashell macaroni, any small pasta will work well. You can substitute the beef stew meat with ground beef for a quicker option, or use a plant-based alternative for a vegetarian version. Enhance the dish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley, which complement Italian recipes beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Baked Black Olive Minestrone hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal. For a heartier option, consider serving it alongside Ziti Bake For Eight or any of your favorite Italian recipes to create a delightful dinner spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the consistency if necessary. This minestrone can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baked Black Olive Minestrone contains roughly 1343 calories, with 16g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 122g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (59% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (46% of the Daily Value), and protein (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1507mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the minestrone a day ahead. Follow the recipe up to step 11, then cover and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake it directly from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, substitute the beef stew meat with a mix of your favorite vegetables like mushrooms or butternut squash, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add more beans for protein and texture.
How can I adjust the spice level?
To adjust the spice level, consider adding red pepper flakes for a kick or using milder beans. If you prefer a more aromatic flavor, try incorporating fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, which can enhance the overall taste without adding heat.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).