Best Chunky Mediterranean Pasta Soup Recipes

SIMPLE ITALIAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions, carrots and celery. Raise heat to medium-high, if you need to, and cook, tossing regularly, until the veggies soften a bit (about 5 minutes or so). Add the garlic and cook another minute, tossing regularly.
• Add the zucchini or yellow squash and green beans. Season with paprika, rosemary, and a generous pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
• Now add the crushed tomatoes, broth, fresh thyme, bay leaf and Parmesan rind (if using.) Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and partially cover the pot. Let simmer for about 20 minutes or so.
• Uncover the pot and add the kidney beans. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.
• Finally, Stir in the parsley and fresh basil. And, if serving immediately, stir in the cooked pasta and simmer ever so briefly till the pasta is warmed through; do not overcook. (See Cook's Tip #2)
• Remove the cheese rind and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Serve the minestrone hot in dinner bowls with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan (optional.)

CHUNKY MEDITERRANEAN TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a large non-stick pan, tip in half the vegetables and the garlic, and cook, stirring, over a high heat until they start to soften - about 5 mins. Tip in the basil, tomatoes, stock cube and 2 cans of water, then blitz with a hand blender to get the mixture as smooth as you can.
• Add the remaining frozen veg, cover the pan and cook for 15-20 mins more until the veg is tender. Ladle into bowls. Serve with the herby ricotta on rye bread.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• Season chicken with Greek seasoning and pepper. In a Dutch oven, saute chicken in oil until no longer pink; remove and set aside. Add green onions and garlic to the pan; saute for 1 minute. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan., Stir in the broth, tomatoes, olives, capers, basil, oregano and chicken. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Return to a boil. Stir in orzo. Cook 8-10 minutes longer or until pasta is tender. Stir in lemon juice and parsley.

CHUNKY VEGETARIAN VEGETABLE SOUP (FAST AND EASY)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and celery in hot oil until onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir garlic into the onion mixture; cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Pour vegetable broth and tomato sauce into pot. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Stir carrots and potatoes through the broth. Simmer until carrots are tender, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Drop corn, edamame, okra, and kale into the soup. Continue to simmer until okra is tender, 5 to 10 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.

CHUNKY MEDITERRANEAN FISH SOUP

Steps:

• Put the pasta sauce and stock into a large saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 2-3 mins. Add the courgettes and fennel and simmer for 2 mins.
• Cut the hoki fillets into 4cm pieces. Add to the soup and poach over a low heat for 2-3 mins or until the fish is cooked. Don't stir too often or the fish will break up. Gently stir in the basil and adjust the seasoning.
• Mix the chipotle chilli mix or chilli paste with the crème fraîche and season. Ladle the soup into bowls and spoon a dollop of crème fraîche on top.

CHUNKY TURKEY SOUP, MEDITERRANEAN STYLE

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, heat the oil over moderate heat.
• Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, chicken broth, water, carrots, rice, and basil. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the green beans, black olives, turkey and salt and pepper. Cook uncovered for about 5 minutes or so until soup is heated through.
• Serve with garlic sticks or crusty bread.