Minestrone Soup Recipe with Pancetta
Minestrone Soup is the perfect soup for winter! It's hearty, delicious, easy to make, and this version is loaded with orzo and pancetta. Yum!
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 4 oz. pancetta cut into 1" x ¼" slices
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 carrots sliced into ¼" pieces
- 1 rib celery sliced into ¼" pieces
- 1 small yellow onion peeled & diced
- 1 zucchini sliced into ¼" pieces
- 1 yellow summer squash sliced into ¼" pieces
- 2 garlic cloves peeled & minced
- ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes crushed red peppers
- 2 14 oz. cans basil, oregano diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 11.5 ounce can/bottle Low-Sodium V8 juice
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups baby spinach fresh, roughly chopped
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- ¾ cup dry orzo
- 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes peeled & cut into ½" cubes
- 2 15 oz cans Great Northern Beans drained & rinsed
For Serving:
- reserved crispy pancetta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- crusty Italian bread
Instructions
- Place the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the pancetta until crisp and remove it to a paper towel-lined plate for later use.4 oz. pancetta
- Add 1 tbsp olive oil and lower the heat to medium-low. When oil shimmers, add the carrots and celery and cook for 2 minutes. Stir often.1 tbsp olive oil, 2 carrots, 1 rib celery
- Add the onion, stirring often, and cook 2 minutes.1 small yellow onion
- Add the zucchini and yellow squash and cook 2 minutes. Stir often.1 zucchini, 1 yellow summer squash
- Add the garlic. Stir and cook 30 seconds more.2 garlic cloves
- Add red pepper flakes, seasoned tomatoes with juice, V8 juice, bay leaf, spinach and chicken broth. Turn heat to medium and bring to a boil.⅛ tsp red pepper flakes, 2 14 oz. cans basil, oregano diced tomatoes with juice, 1 11.5 ounce can/bottle Low-Sodium V8 juice, 1 bay leaf, 4 cups baby spinach, 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Add orzo and potatoes and bring the soup back to boil, stirring occasionally.¾ cup dry orzo, 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
- Reduce heat to low and simmer until orzo is cooked to al denté, about 10 minutes or per pasta package directions.
- Add beans and cook 5 minutes or until beans are heated through.2 15 oz cans Great Northern Beans
- Season to taste, adding salt and pepper as needed.
- Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with reserved crispy pancetta, grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.reserved crispy pancetta, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Serve immediately along with slices of toasty Italian bread. Enjoy!crusty Italian bread
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 532kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 1642mg | Potassium: 2193mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 5370IU | Vitamin C: 74.8mg | Calcium: 406mg | Iron: 11.5mg