Tortellini Minestrone Soup
A hearty and flavorful soup combining tortellini, fresh vegetables, and savory herbs, perfect for family dinners or gatherings, with vibrant flavors and comforting warmth.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. cooking oil ⓘ
- 2 c. onions, diced ⓘ
- 2 tsp. minced garlic ⓘ
- 1 gal. chicken or beef broth ⓘ
- 2 large c. carrots, diced ⓘ
- 9 oz. large zucchini, diced ⓘ
- 9 oz. yellow squash, diced
- 2 (28 oz. size) cans tomatoes, cut up ⓘ
- 3 lb. meat or cheese tortellini ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. basil ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 15 to 20 white potatoes ⓘ
- 1 doz. eggs ⓘ
- 1 very large onion, peeled and diced ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz. size) small jar India relish ⓘ
- 1 small jar pimento-stuffed olives ⓘ
- 1/2 c. Miracle Whip salad dressing ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt (for boiling water) ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt (for potato salad mixture) ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 head red cabbage, shredded ⓘ
- 4 medium ripened, red tomatoes, diced large ⓘ
- 1 medium Vidalia onion, thinly sliced ⓘ
- 1 to 2 cucumbers, peeled and diced in large pieces ⓘ
- 2 (16 oz. size) cans sliced beets ⓘ
- 1/2 c. oil ⓘ
- 1/2 c. salad oil ⓘ
Instructions
- Get out a very large bowl.
- Shred the red cabbage by hand or in a food processor and place in the bowl.
- Add the diced tomatoes, sliced onions, and diced cucumbers to the bowl.
- Add both cans of sliced beets along with all the beet juice.
- Pour in the olive oil, salad oil, and vinegar.
- Add oregano, sweet basil leaves, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the mixture.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider adding spinach or kale towards the end of cooking. If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the chicken or beef broth with vegetable broth and use cheese tortellini instead of meat. Fresh herbs can elevate the flavor, so feel free to swap dried oregano and basil for their fresh counterparts. For a twist, add a dash of red pepper flakes for heat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the tortellini minestrone soup with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top for added richness. It pairs beautifully with Italian Pasta Primavera or a crusty loaf of bread. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside a simple green salad or Italian Baked Chicken Breasts for a delightful culinary experience.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a little extra broth as it may thicken. Heat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tortellini Minestrone Soup contains roughly 2811 calories, with 109g protein, 404g carbohydrates, and 97g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (218% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (198% of the Daily Value), and iron (198% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2161mg per serving (94% 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 tortellini in this recipe?
Yes, frozen tortellini is a great option and can be added directly to the soup without thawing. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time slightly as they may take a minute or two longer to cook through.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat to your minestrone, consider incorporating crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. You can also use spicy Italian sausage tortellini if you prefer a meaty kick.
What can I serve with tortellini minestrone soup?
This soup is versatile and pairs well with many dishes. For a light meal, serve with a simple green salad. For something heartier, try it with garlic bread or Italian Boneless Chicken. A side of roasted vegetables would also complement the flavors nicely.
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).