Mom'S Eat Your Veggies Minestrone Soup
A hearty, vegetable-rich minestrone soup featuring tender lima beans, fresh vegetables, and savory beef broth, perfect for comforting family meals or healthy gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 c. dry baby lima beans ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 medium chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 clove fresh minced garlic ⓘ
- 6 c. boiling water
- 2 cubes beef bouillon ⓘ
- 2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 c. turnips, cut in 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- 2 stalks celery, sliced ⓘ
- 1 (19 oz.) can tomatoes ⓘ
- small piece of bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. dried leaf basil ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook ground beef in a large pot over medium heat until browned.
- Add chopped onion and cook for approximately 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add boiling water, beef bouillon cubes, salt, pepper, and lima beans.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cover and simmer for about 1 hour until lima beans are tender.
- Add diced carrots, cut turnips, sliced celery, canned tomatoes, bay leaf, and dried basil.
- Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Add chopped cabbage and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Taste and season as needed, then serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using homemade beef broth instead of water and bouillon. You can substitute baby lima beans with kidney beans or cannellini beans if preferred. Fresh vegetables can be swapped based on seasonal availability; for example, zucchini or green beans can be great additions. Make sure to soak the lima beans overnight for quicker cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty minestrone soup with crusty bread or a fresh side salad for a complete meal. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor. It pairs beautifully with Italian recipes, making it a great option for a cozy family dinner. You might also enjoy it alongside a classic dish like Garfield Lasagne.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover minestrone soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the soup has thickened. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mom'S Eat Your Veggies Minestrone Soup contains roughly 633 calories, with 30g protein, 46g carbohydrates, and 37g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (60% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (42% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 868mg per serving (38% 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 minestrone soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this minestrone soup vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and using vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Add more vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to enhance the flavor and texture.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, you can include crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while cooking. Adjust the amount to your taste preference. Adding some diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper can also give it a nice kick.
Can I use canned beans instead of dry lima beans?
Absolutely! If you're short on time, you can substitute dry lima beans with 1 to 2 cans of drained and rinsed lima beans. Just add them during the last 15 minutes of cooking to heat through without getting mushy.
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).