Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Pesto, a hearty, healthy dish packed with nutrients and delicious textures and flavor. Here is an Italian favorite, one that I grew up with and to this day enjoy immensely!
Song of the day: "More Than This" by Roxy Music.
Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Pesto, taking an Italian tradition to the next level of flavor with a homemade pesto and all those lovely organic veggies, fresh, vibrant and fragrant especially when combined and slow simmered to create a most delicious blend of taste and texture. This Minestrone is just what we need during the winter months, a dish with sustenance, warmth, and heart!
One thing that I realized when I went to Italy for the first time was the Italian's passion for fresh locally grown ingredients, and how they enjoyed preparing and eating them. When I looked at the people of Italy most were in great shape and boy do they know how to live.
Growing up in Canada and being first generation Italian came with a few losses in culture as my parents were immigrants and wanting to fit in and become Canadian. But one thing that stuck was the good home cooking and a wonderful garden that my parents grew and during the crazy snowy winter months I would wake up on weekends and smell a delicious aroma of soup simmering on the stove. Aromas of celery, carrots, onions, greens, potatoes, and beans. Yes, Minestrone. I just loved the variety of texture and flavor that it offered and one plate was never enough, paired with some Italian pagnotta bread and that was a hearty substantial meal that would give me energy and warmth to go play outside in the bitter cold for hours, building forts, tunnels, or even skiing in our front yard with those old wood skis my uncle gave me. When I couldn't feel my fingers or feet anymore, I would dash inside and one thing you have to know about Italians they never just make things for one meal, there was always leftovers. To a kid who was in the cold and a bit frostbitten, wrapping my hands around a bowl of warm minestrone and feeling as it warmed my mouth, throat, then the whole body, was sheer delight and heaven to my soul.
Well, I am a lot older now in body and not in mind most will tell you, but winter is not as enjoyable as it once was. The cold feels colder, shoveling snow went from a novelty to a burden, and getting frostbitten feels a hell of a lot more painful than I can remember. But one thing that remains in my heart is a good bowl of soup, and this Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Pesto still has that sweet spot in my soul!
Look at all those colors, all that earthy goodness. I don't know about you but I take great pleasure in preparing veggies for a delicious soup. There is something meditative about it. The sounds of chopping, peeling, cleaning, and washing. Plus all that love and good feeling that goes along with knowing you are making something that is so wonderful and healthy to share with others. This is the recipe for peace and tranquility I think.
Then comes the next phase, the cooking. First, sauteeing all the veggies in those spices and herb, and sealing it with an incredible broth, homemade of course, but a good quality organic will do! The aroma is so warming and comforting, and I find myself digressing a bit to those winter days when I was young. Hearing my mother and father in the kitchen preparing, Italian music playing on the radio. Talk of who was coming for lunch and how bountiful the garden was that year. As I stir this soup I see the carrots stalks moving in the breeze, those wisps of celery strong and vibrant. The tomatoes so red and ripe, plump for the picking, and the rows and rows of potatoes and onions, and my parents lovingly tending to their passionate affair. I was always amazed how my mother and father could grow almost anything, and when it came time for harvest watching as the fruits of their labor were plenty. There was some pillaging before harvest, us kids called it garden raiding, nothing like pulling pea pods from the vine, and shucking them right into your mouth so sweet and robust they were. These are fond memories and I am grateful for my parents' heritage and what they passed on to me. A love for the land, the passion for naturally grown foods, and of course the passion to create wonderful dishes to share with others. This is the Italian way!
Back to the task at hand Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Pesto!
I was inspired by an old cookbook I pulled from the shelf. "The Ultimate Italian Cookbook" by Carla Capalbo. I have done a few of the recipes from this book and have thoroughly enjoyed them. You have seen the Potato and Tomato Bake, this is the second recipe I am sharing, Minestrone, and I have a third one that you are going to absolutely love, a pork shoulder recipe with a few unexpected surprises, so stay tuned. I love cookbooks, real ones, with bindings, pictures and that feel of printed paper. The sound of the binding being stretched and the aroma of a book is still bar none an experience I am not willing to part with.
This minestrone demands your time a bit, the cutting of the veggies, the prep of the broth, then the stage by stage sauteeing of the veggies finally to be settled in a nice broth and then relaxation comes in as the minestrone simmers slowly only needing some stirring from time to time. I am not going to get into all the prep as we have a wonderful recipe and procedure below.
The Minestrone is done and I have my hand waving those vapors right into my nose and it smells heavenly. The scent of bay leaf, that rich broth, it is so good can't wait to experience it. I scoop a good spoonful getting all the elements in. I taste the mirepoix, sweet carrots, peppery celery, and sweet sultry leeks and onions. The potatoes just fall apart in my mouth creating a nice starchy cloud, only to be soothed and dissipated by the flavorful soft veggie and broth. The Russian kale, our choice of greens, offers just the right amount of earthy goodness accompanied by the cannellini beans that come in to play with texture and poise to our tongue. I love the way the zucchini just melts and becomes this juicy morsel of goodness along with the playful peas, together so sweet balancing out nicely with the rich herbed broth, courtesy of the thyme and bay leaf. I love having tomatoes in the blend, there is that acidity and color they add that makes it all the more intriguing and the aroma they give off just confirms the richness of this minestrone. Then there is this subtle but oh so tasty backdrop of the pesto, the basil adding a nice freshness and aromatic to the mix and those pine nuts and garlic lending spice and nuttiness to an already winning team. This Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Pesto is pure comfort. I have all this warmth in my body and those memories rich in my soul of a time long ago of our culture and their love of food. Be Italian!
Buon Appetito!
Song of the day: "More Than This" by Roxy Music.
Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Pesto
Minestrone with Cannellini Beans and Pesto, taking an Italian tradition to the next level of flavor with a homemade pesto and all those lovely organic veggies, fresh, vibrant and fragrant especially when combined and slow simmered to create a most delicious blend of taste and texture.
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 6 ½ cups vegetable stock (homemade or organic store-bought)
- 3 Tbsp e.v.o. oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 leek, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 1 stock celery, finely chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 3 tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups cooked cannellini beans
- ½ cup cooked greens (like kale, swiss chard, spinach)
- 3 Tbsp pesto sauce (homemade or organic store-bought)
- Parmigiano Reggiano, grated (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the broth to simmering.
- In a large saucepan, heat the e.v.o. oil. Stir in the onion and leek, and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the onion softens.
- Add the carrots, celery, and garlic, and cook over moderate heat, stirring often, for another 5 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, the zucchini, and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, and stir well. Add the herbs and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Stir in the peas and the tomatoes. Cover the pan and boil for about 5-8 minutes.
- About 10 minutes before serving the soup, uncover and stir in the beans and the greens. Simmer for 10 minutes, then stir in the pesto sauce. Taste for seasoning, add more salt if needed.
- Simmer for 5 more minutes then remove from the heat.
- Allow the soup to stand for a few minutes, then serve with grated Parmigiano (optional).
Notes
Short pasta, orzo, or rice may also be added.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Cuisine: Italian
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normally purchase and like.
When I am not cooking, I enjoy playing musical instruments, singing, writing. I have learned over the years to live in gratitude and enjoy the moment.
Jessica Robinson says
This Soup looks amazing! Cannot wait to try it!
Thats great we are so glad that you are inspired by the minestroni, would love to hear your feedback when you do make it.
Happy cooking!
Loreto out!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
There is something very relaxing about chopping veg and just being in the kitchen. I love how the focus is on the food and nothing else. This soup looks so comforting and delicious and I love the pesto touch. This would definitely warm me up on a cold winter day. P.S. I can't handle the cold like I used to either and the older I get, I think I'm more sensitive to it!. My fave season is fall (September/October) when it's not too warm, but just a touch of crispness in the year. Pinned and making soon 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
Thank you Dawn dont you just love cooking? After my guitar lesson I was talking with my guitar teacher and he was beginning to prepare supper. Naturally I asked him what he was making and he responded that it was a linguine with a red pepper alfredo sauce store bought. He told me he does not have time to make things from scratch, to which I replied with a passion, that I could show him great 20 minute meals. The same time as openiung a jar of sauce warming it up and cooking the pasta. He is still pondering the idea, but I think my enthusiasm got to him, and some cooking classes may in at a future time. Back to this minestrone, I feel so warm and loved and from the post I am sure you felt the love. Thank you so much for taking the time to read the story and experience this recipe. Have a wonderful week!
Cheers!
loreto
cheddarben says
This looks like a comforting and tasty soup!
Thank you, I love minestrone, it has everything but the kitchen sink in it, lol. The nice thing is the textures of this soup it is so diverse and a good bowl of this will definately carry you for the day. Thanks for checking out our recipe and have a great day!
Loreto
Paige says
I love this soup, and your version looks hearty and satisfying. Nice job!
Thanks Paige purely a labor of love fueled by amazing memories and our passionate culture. You are so right when you say hearty and satisfying, it is just that and leaves you feeling well taken care of.
Happy Cooking!
Cheers!
Loreto
Laineey says
I absolutely adore all kinds of soup. If my hubby loved soup like I love soup, we'd be eating it every other day! Your minestrone soup looks delicious and warming! I can not wait to make it.
Hi Laineey, thank you, it was such a pleasure to make it and even a greater pleasure knowing everyone is enjoying it so much. Have fun making this one, lots of love and mindful preperation equals brilliance!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cheers!
Loreto
karrie / Tasty Ever After says
I love minestrone!!!!! I've only made it a handful of times but need to change that ASAP!! Love that you guys put pesto in it. What a way to kick it up a notch 😉
Hi Karrie I know PESTO! what a way to finish minestrone! If you try this you are going to love it. It is also a great way to use up those veggies sitting in the fridge. The flavors of this minestrone are so rich and intensified, maybe coming from first that home made broth then the second coming of all that other goodness that happenes. The pesto is just the cream of the crop. Love t!
Thank you it was nice hearing from you!
Have a great week
Loreto out!
helene dsouza says
Now this soup would warm up my cold bones. I can't take the cold at all, never have, thats why I moved to a tropical climate. Yet, I sometimes end up in the mountains in Austria and that's when such a gorgeous bowl of hot soup would come handy. 🙂
Hi Helene
Wow that would be a dream come true for Nicoletta and I to live in a tropical place with all that sunshine and beach life. But for now we are here and making the best of it and this MInestrone sure helps ward off those winter blahs. Thanks for stopping by and reading our post and checking out the recipe. It is nice knowing people are enjoying it so much.
Cheers!
Loreto
Analida's Ethnic Spoon says
Oh how I love soup season and trying new soups! Even though I hate winter and our 100+ inches of snow per season I look forward to a nice bowl of soup or stew. Thanks for sharing!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
i love cannellini beans but i dont know why i dont use it more often. pinning this soup for winter because it looks absolutely hearty and full of so many veggies.
Thank you Dixya, this soup is so hearty you are right, all those veggies, a nice homemade broth and lots of passion and attention is always a recipe for success. Great warm me upper for those cool winter nights!
Have a great day!
Cheers!
Loreto
Jenni says
This soup looks like an awesome dish to serve on a cold night. I love a good minestrone and I think cannellini beans are so tasty in it!
Leslie says
Minestrone soup is one of my favorites - definitely need to try your recipe!
Hi Leslie so glad that you like this minestroni, would love to hear some feed back when you do. Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Cooking!
Loreto
karyld2016 says
Oh my gosh I've never thought of adding pesto to soup! What an awesome idea. I'm obsessed with homemade pesto, and make it every chance I get.
Hi Karyld, you are going to love this minestroni if your are a pesto lover. It adds such depth to the flovor without stealing the show. Thanks for checking out our recipe.
Cheers!
Loreto
Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
This looks like such a deliciously fragrant, comforting soup. I could totally get into the zone chopping veggies to enjoy a piping hot bowl of this minestrone!
Thank you, In this day of modernization and all the mechanized tools it is easy to prepare food,but for me I like the old school ways the chopping with a good knife and the sounds of the kitchen. It makes this minestroni all the more comforting and tasty! Some things are best left to patience and timing!
Happy Cooking
Loreto
The Simple, Sweet Life says
Minestrone is one of my dad's favorites, but I've never dared to attempt making it from scratch. I can't wait to give this a try when he comes to visit this Christmas!
Hi Claire, that would be such a wonderful gift to give to your father for Christmas. I love hearing these stories it makes all that we do on our blog mean something. Thank you for commenting and sharing.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Vheers!
loreto
jpinney13 says
I've never made homemade minestrone before, but this looks so delicious I'm going to have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jess, I hope you try this it iis an amzing soup from texture to taste, with just a side of health to go a long way.
Cheers!
loreto
Susan says
I had a recipe for minestrone soup that I absolutely loved and I cannot find the cookbook in my house; I looked everywhere. I've been scouring the internet to find something similar and this seems very close.
Can't wait to try it!
Hi Susan, thank you! This is an amazing minestrone, we had people making it over and over, even if they did not leave comments and ratings. I hope you try it, you will love it!