Minestrone Milan Style
A hearty Italian vegetable and bean soup rich in fresh greens, tender rice, and Parmesan, perfect for cozy gatherings and healthful comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup kidney beans ⓘ
- 1/2 cup rice ⓘ
- 1/4 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 1 No. 2 can tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 2 cups chopped spinach ⓘ
- pinch of sage ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 2 quarts prepared soup stock ⓘ
- 1 sliced onion ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley ⓘ
- 2 stalks diced celery ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded cabbage ⓘ
- 2 cups chopped carrots ⓘ
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Soak the kidney beans overnight; drain.
- In a large pot, sauté in hot olive oil with garlic, sliced onion, chopped spinach, diced celery, chopped carrots, and shredded cabbage for 10 minutes.
- Add rice, soaked beans, salt, pepper, and prepared soup stock to the pot.
- Cover and simmer until the beans and rice are tender and most of the soup has been absorbed, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier minestrone, consider adding other beans or lentils, which can enhance the protein content. If you don't have kidney beans, black beans or cannellini beans work well as substitutes. To save time, use pre-chopped vegetables or frozen spinach. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving can brighten the flavors beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the minestrone hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. It pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Fettuccine With Artichokes or a simple side salad. For a more filling meal, consider serving it with crusty bread or a slice of garlic toast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stove over low heat, adding a little water or broth if it has thickened too much. It can also be reheated in the microwave for quick servings.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Minestrone Milan Style contains roughly 1123 calories, with 22g protein, 102g carbohydrates, and 73g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (166% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (87% of the Daily Value), and iron (67% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1948mg per serving (85% 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 use canned beans instead of dried beans?
Yes, you can use canned beans to save time. If using canned kidney beans, drain and rinse them before adding them to the pot. Reduce the cooking time slightly, as the beans will already be cooked and just need to be warmed through.
What can I add for more flavor?
To enhance the flavor, consider adding bay leaves, Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs like basil or thyme during cooking. A splash of balsamic vinegar added just before serving can also elevate the taste.
Is this recipe suitable for freezing?
Yes, minestrone soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
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).