NOT YOUR ORDINARY MINESTRONE SOUP!

Not Your Ordinary Minestrone Soup! image

Provided by kittycatmom

Time 1h25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 onions, chopped
2 cups chopped celery
5 carrots, sliced
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium if available)
2 cups water or 2 cups vegetable stock
4 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
1 cup canned kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can green beans (I use fresh green beans)
2 cups Baby Spinach, rinsed
3 zucchini, quartered and sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 -2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar (if you are using fresh tomato)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup shell pasta
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, for topping
1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

In a large stock pot, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and saute garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add celery and carrots, saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add chicken broth, water and tomato sauce, bring to boil, stirring frequently. If desired add red wine at this point. Reduce heat to low and add kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, the longer the better.
Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain water and set aside.
Once pasta is cooked and soup is heated through place 2 tablespoons cooked pasta into individual serving bowls. Ladle soup on top of pasta and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Spray with olive oil and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 232.3, Fat 8.4, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 1.1, Sodium 1028, Carbohydrate 34.4, Fiber 8.2, Sugar 13.3, Protein 8.8