Minestrone soup is jam packed with vegetables, pasta and flavour, the flavour intensifies over time so it is even tastier eaten the next day.
It is a very filling meal on a winters day with some nice bread to go with it, so homely and delicious.

Ingredients
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan, add onion, bacon and garlic.
- Stir over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until the onion is softened.
- Add celery and carrot fry a further 2 minutes.

- Stir in the passata, tomato paste, stock, potatoes, zucchini, green beans, kidney beans, salt, pepper, basil, bring to the boil.

- Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
- Add the risoni, peas and cabbage or spinach simmer a further 10 minutes.

- Serve with a nice crusty bread.
Notes
Any small pasta shape can be used but I prefer to use risoni as the pasta continues to swell, it is almost like a stew on the second day.
Serve with a tsp of basil pesto dolloped on top to lift the whole dish or a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan.
This soup is a real hearty meal, full of flavoursome vegetables it is very comforting and healthy.


