Salad Bar Minestrone
A hearty and flavorful minestrone packed with fresh vegetables, Italian sausage, beans, and pasta, perfect for a comforting family meal or casual gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb. mixed salad bar vegetables ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. sweet Italian sausage ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed beef broth ⓘ
- 3 can water ⓘ
- 1 (19 oz.) can white kidney beans
- 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/3 c. orzo or other small pasta ⓘ
Instructions
- Slice any large vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Saute sausage and chopped garlic in olive oil in a large pot until the meat is no longer pink.
- Drain most of the oil from the pot.
- Add the vegetables to the pot.
- Saute for 2 to 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to brown.
- Stir in tomato sauce, beef broth, water, white kidney beans, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the pasta over the soup and simmer for another 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using fresh herbs like basil or parsley alongside the oregano. If you don't have white kidney beans, navy or cannellini beans work well as substitutes. To make the dish vegetarian, you can omit the sausage and replace the beef broth with vegetable broth. Keep an eye on the pasta to prevent overcooking; it should be al dente when you add it.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the minestrone hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a fresh green salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Mike'S Favorite Baked Spaghetti or a hearty Italian salad to complement the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover minestrone in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it appears too thick. You can also microwave it in a covered bowl, stirring halfway through for even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Salad Bar Minestrone contains roughly 636 calories, with 28g protein, 137g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (217% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (162% of the Daily Value), and calcium (145% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 664mg per serving (29% 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 frozen vegetables instead of fresh salad bar vegetables?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen vegetables for convenience. Just add them directly to the pot after sautéing the sausage and garlic. Keep in mind that frozen vegetables may release more moisture, so you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat to your minestrone, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when you add the tomato sauce and broth. You can also use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet sausage for an extra kick.
Can I prepare this soup in advance?
Yes, minestrone can be made ahead of time. In fact, the flavors often deepen and improve after a day in the fridge. Just remember not to cook the pasta until you're ready to serve, as it can become mushy if stored too long.
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).