Speed-O Minestrone Soup
Speed-O Minestrone Soup offers a hearty, flavorful vegetable and bean broth with pasta and Parmesan, perfect for a quick, wholesome meal for the family.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 4-quart saucepan, bring the beef broth, water, crushed tomatoes, basil, and pepper to a boil over high heat.
- Meanwhile, drain the black beans in a colander; rinse under cold running water and drain well.
- In a food processor, coarsely chop the onion, carrot, and garlic.
- Add the chopped onion, carrot, garlic, drained beans, frozen peas, and elbow macaroni to the boiling broth mixture.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is al dente, about 12 minutes.
- Serve hot, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Tips & Substitutions
For enhanced flavor, consider adding a bay leaf while simmering the soup and remove it before serving. If you don’t have elbow macaroni, any small pasta works well. You can substitute the black beans with kidney beans or chickpeas. If you're looking to lighten the dish, replace some beef broth with vegetable broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese. This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a fresh garden salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Italian Tortilla Stacks or a side of Easy Ziti Casserole for a comforting Italian-themed dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen it up. Alternatively, you can microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Speed-O Minestrone Soup contains roughly 1276 calories, with 62g protein, 233g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (307% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (208% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (159% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 759mg per serving (33% 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 soup vegetarian?
Yes, to make the minestrone soup vegetarian, simply substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth and omit the cheese or use a vegetarian alternative. The beans and vegetables provide plenty of protein and flavor.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while the soup is simmering. You can also add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, this minestrone soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
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).