Kitchen Sink Minestrone

I call this kitchen sink minestrone because it’s so packed full of goodness the only thing that’s not in it is the kitchen sink!

This is rich, nutritious, low in fat, full of flavour, and it feeds a family out of one pot for next-to-nothing. Use up whatever vegetables you’ve got lying around, switch up the kind of tinned beans, and whatever pasta you like. A medium size is best, like shells or elbow – but Orzo works well too.

True Italian style cooking at its best; a big hearty meal made from whatever is lying around. That’s how my Nonna fed her family when the budget was tight, but that doesn’t mean anyone went without.

This is perfect family comfort food for a cold winter’s night. Unlike most soups, this stands on its own, hearty enough it needs no accompaniment or second course. But a hunk of crusty bread never goes astray.

To make this vegetarian, use vegetable stock in place of chicken.

Kitchen Sink Minestrone

A hearty bowl of goodness packed with veggies.

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Servings: 6

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 celery sticks, peeled and chopped
• 1 brown onion, peeled and diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped
• 3 x 400 g tins crushed tomatoes
• 1 x 400 g tin cannellini beans, drained
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 cup dried pasta shapes, medium size (such as shells or elbows)

Method

 

1. Heat a large pot on medium and add the olive oil, carrots, celery and onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until tender.
2.  Add the garlic and cook for a further minute, stirring.
3. Add the stock, zucchini, tinned tomatoes, beans, cabbage and oregano and stir to combine. 
4. Bring to the boil and then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. 
5. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and basil leaves.
6. Add the pasta and cook for a further 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked.