Winter Minestrone Butternut Squash Kale (Print Version)

Hearty Italian soup with butternut squash, kale, beans, and pasta in rich tomato broth.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 small butternut squash (about 1.5 pounds), peeled and diced
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup chopped fresh kale, stems removed
09 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Legumes and Grains

10 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 0.5 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow macaroni)

→ Liquids

12 - 6 cups vegetable broth
13 - 1 cup water

→ Spices and Seasonings

14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Finishing

19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
20 - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add butternut squash and zucchini; cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and water. Bring to a boil.
05 - Stir in oregano, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
06 - Add cannellini beans and pasta. Simmer for another 8 to 10 minutes until pasta and squash are tender.
07 - Stir in kale and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
08 - Remove from heat. Stir in parsley.
09 - Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The butternut squash melts slightly into the broth creating a velvety texture without any cream.
  • You can make this on Sunday and enjoy increasingly flavorful bowls throughout the week as the ingredients meld together.
02 -
  • Cook the pasta separately if youre planning to freeze portions or store leftovers for more than a day, otherwise it will absorb too much broth and become mushy.
  • Adding a Parmesan rind during simmering transforms the broth completely, lending a depth of flavor that elevates this from simple soup to something truly magnificent.
03 -
  • Chop all vegetables roughly the same size so they cook evenly and each spoonful offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
  • Let the soup rest for 10 minutes off the heat before serving to allow the flavors to settle and meld together completely.
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