Super Quick Minestrone

prep time:: 30 min
total time:: 1 hr or so

Makes 8-10 servings

What could be more comforting on a cold winter’s day? What could be more comforting when you just need to feel the love? Carrots, celery, Swiss chard, cannellini beans, kidney beans... all this and more! Serve with a good piece of crusty bread and it just doesn’t get any better than that!

ingredients

1 cup tubetti or rotini pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
6 cups chicken stock
1/4 pound bacon, chopped in pieces
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups finely chopped white onions, (2)
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup diced carrots
1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary or thyme leaves
1 (14 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
4 cups small diced zucchini
2 cups small diced and peeled russet potatoes (1 large russet)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

directions

1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the directions until al dente. Drain and transfer the pasta to a baking sheet. Toss the pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
2
In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the chicken stock.
3
In another large saucepan over high heat, heat 1/4 cup oil. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the bacon and cook until it begins to brown, 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally. Lower the heat to medium and add the onions, celery, and carrots.
4
Cook until the vegetables are soft, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent browning. Add the chopped herbs. Raise the heat to high. Add the beans, tomatoes, zucchini and potatoes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Then bring it down to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 12-15 minutes, skimming any foam off the top of the soup.
5
Season generously with pepper. Add salt to taste. Just a few minutes before serving, add the cooked pasta. Serve warm with Parmesan and olive oil passed at the table.
6
Cooking notes: Add the cooked pasta just before serving. If it sits in the soup too long, it develops a flabby texture. Tubetti are the classic pasta for minestrone, but you could substitute another small shape of pasta.
7
*** This recipe calls for pancetta actually, but I substitute bacon just because it is easier to get.