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    Home » Mains » Soups

    The Best Winter Minestrone

    Originally Published: Feb 15, 2018 · Last Updated: Feb 12, 2020 by Ann · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    527 shares
    • 5
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    This minestrone soup recipe is chock full of chunky veggies, beans, and pancetta. Simmering with a parmesan rind gives it rich, salty flavor. Serve this winter minestrone with some garlic bread, and you have a simple, delicious, healthy and satisfying meal. #soup #souprecipes #minestronesoup
    Minestrone soup in a bowl

    This winter minestrone is chock full of chunky veggies, beans and pancetta. Simmering with a parmesan rind gives it rich, salty flavor. Serve this winter minestrone with some garlic bread, and you have a simple, delicious, healthy, and satisfying meal.

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will make a small commission, at no cost to you. I will never recommend anything I don't personally use and love!

    Bowl of winter minestrone soup

    It's a funny thing about the seasons in Montreal. We have beautiful hot summers that are heart-wrenchingly short, but while you're in the middle of it, you can hardly remember what the bitter cold is like.

    Same in the winter, when the summer feels like a distant memory from another era.  But I finally feel like we're getting near the end of the road with this long, miserable winter.

    Hard to believe, but in a few weeks the trees will be budding and the smell of spring will be in the air!

    Overhead view of a pot of winter minestrone soup

    In the meantime though, I find that I'm still feeling the need to warm my soul with a good bowl of homemade soup at least once a week.

    I tend to think of soups as falling into two categories: creamy and chunky. Usually I gravitate toward creamy soups, like this Indian-spiced carrot and ginger soup, or this creamy leek and potato soup.

    But this winter minestrone is the exception. I've been making this recipe for years, and it's my absolute favorite.

    Bowl of winter minestrone soup

    Sometimes minestrone can be a bit...one-dimensional. But this one has tons of flavor. The pancetta gives it a meaty taste and texture, and the Parmesan rind provides rich salty balance.

    I like to save my Parmesan rinds in a plastic baggie in the freezer. They are a great addition to many recipes that simmer for a while, but especially brothy soups like this one.

    Serve this winter minestrone with some cheesy garlic bread, and you have the kind of simple, delicious and satisfying meal that winter is made for.

    Sound good to you? If you make this recipe, I would be THRILLED if you would take a pic and tag me on Instagram @ourhappymess!

    Or pin for later!

    And if you're looking for more easy dinner inspiration, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Or just subscribe in the sidebar on the right to get every new recipe in your inbox 🙂

    Minestrone soup in a bowl

    Winter Minestrone

    This winter minestrone is chock full of chunky veggies, beans and pancetta. Simmering with a parmesan rind gives it rich, salty flavor. Serve this winter minestrone with some garlic bread, and you have a simple, delicious, healthy, and satisfying meal.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 163kcal
    Author: Ann Otis

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 onion chopped
    • 3 carrots chopped
    • 3 celery stalks chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 3 oz pancetta chopped
    • 1 russet potato peeled and cubed
    • 1 28 oz can whole tomatoes
    • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
    • 1 15 oz can cannellini beans (small white kidney beans)
    • 4 cups low sodium beef broth
    • 1 piece of parmesan cheese rind
    • chopped fresh parsley for garnish
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and pancetta, and cook for about 10 minutes, until the onions are softened.
    • Stir in the potatoes, and saute for another minute or two. Add the tomatoes and rosemary, and cook for 10 minutes, breaking the tomatoes apart with a wooden spoon as they cook.
    • Add the beans, broth, and Parmesan rind and stir. Simmer for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove the Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig. Garnish with parsley, and serve with crusty bread, or garlic bread if desired.

    Notes

    Loosely adapted from Giada's Family Dinners by Giada De Laurentiis

    Nutrition

    Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 427mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5185IU | Vitamin C: 6.1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @OurHappyMess or tag #OurHappyMess!
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    527 shares
    • 5

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie

      February 15, 2018 at 7:47 pm

      This is my Dad's favorite soup. Will have to make it for him.

      Reply
      • Ann

        February 15, 2018 at 8:03 pm

        Awwww awesome Julie! I hope he enjoys it 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sandi

      February 15, 2018 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun soup recipe. We love hot soup when the weather is cold.

      Reply
      • Ann

        February 15, 2018 at 6:49 pm

        Thanks Sandi! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Hannah

      February 15, 2018 at 5:50 pm

      5 stars
      Minestrone is always been my favorite comfort soup! 🙂 I love all the taste and warm it brings. 🙂

      Reply
      • Ann

        February 15, 2018 at 6:43 pm

        Me too! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lizzie

      February 15, 2018 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      Ooh, I love pancetta, this sounds like a lovely hearty soup. The winter seems to have lasted forever here in York UK too.

      Reply
      • Ann

        February 15, 2018 at 4:03 pm

        Hearty! That's the word I was trying to think of when I was writing this post! Thanks Lizzie 🙂

        Reply
    5. emily | OatandSesame

      February 15, 2018 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      Minestrone is always so comforting. If there is one thing I like about the cold weather - it's soup and how easy it is to make and store. And if you're lucky enough to be in Montreal, you can pair it with a delicious Montreal style bagel. 🙂

      Reply
      • Ann

        February 15, 2018 at 3:50 pm

        Ooooooh I never thought about pairing it with a bagel! Great idea 🙂

        Reply

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    Ann from Our Happy Mess

    I'm Ann and I believe in balanced eating, homemade foods, and DESSERT. I love to cook, but I can't spend all day in the kitchen anymore, so what you'll mostly find here are simple, family-friendly recipes. I'm really happy you're here!
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