CONTEST-WINNING EASY MINESTRONE

Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone image

This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it's one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it's full of nutrition and low in fat. -Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner Lunch

Time 1h5m

Yield 11 servings (2-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

2 large carrots, diced
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni
11 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

In a large saucepan, saute the carrots, celery and onion in oil and butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the broth, tomato sauce, beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, parsley, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add macaroni; cook, uncovered, 6-8 minutes or until macaroni and vegetables are tender., Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with cheese. Freeze option: Before adding cheese, freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 443mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges