Beef And Spinach Minestrone
Hearty beef and spinach minestrone with tender meatballs, flavorful vegetables, and pasta, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings that crave rich, savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried red beans ⓘ
- 4 strips bacon ⓘ
- 1 medium onion
- 3 carrots
- 1 celery rib ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 6 cups water ⓘ
- 14 oz can plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning ⓘ
- 3 beef bouillon cubes ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 cup uncooked tubular pasta ⓘ
- 1 pound ground chuck ⓘ
- 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 pound torn fresh spinach ⓘ
- 1 zucchini ⓘ
Instructions
- Place dried red beans in a large bowl; add water to cover 3 inches above beans and let stand at room temperature overnight.
- Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven until crisp; remove bacon and crumble, set aside.
- Add onions, carrot strips, celery, and garlic to the Dutch oven; sauté until tender.
- Drain red beans and add to the vegetable mixture along with crumbled bacon, 6 cups water, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
- Stir in uncooked pasta; continue to simmer until beans and pasta are tender.
- Meanwhile, combine ground chuck, bread crumbs, egg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; mix well.
- Shape mixture into meatballs and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until browned; drain well.
- Add meatballs to the soup mixture; simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Stir in torn spinach and sliced zucchini; simmer for an additional 15 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker cooking time, consider using canned beans instead of dried. You can substitute ground turkey for ground chuck for a leaner option. If fresh spinach isn't available, frozen spinach works well; just make sure to thaw and drain it before adding. Enhance flavors by adding a splash of red wine during the sautéing step. This dish also pairs beautifully with Ron Militello'S Italian Spaghetti.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty minestrone with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. For added richness, top each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese. This dish also makes a great lunch option and can be paired with a light white wine. Explore more Italian recipes for delightful pairings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simmer on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the soup if it thickens. You can also microwave individual servings, covered, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef And Spinach Minestrone contains roughly 679 calories, with 24g protein, 120g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (321% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (84% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (73% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2035mg per serving (88% 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 freeze the leftovers?
Yes, this minestrone freezes well! Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or microwave until heated through.
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).