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Winter Minestrone & Garlic Bruschetta: A Classic Comfort Food


  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

 Cozy up with a bowl of hearty winter minestrone paired with crispy garlic bruschetta. This classic Italian-inspired dish is packed with seasonal vegetables, beans, pasta, and aromatic herbs, making it the perfect comfort food for chilly days.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Winter Minestrone:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow macaroni)
  • 2 cups kale or Swiss chard, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

For the Garlic Bruschetta:

  • 1 baguette or rustic Italian bread, sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Making the Winter Minestrone:

  1. Sauté the Aromatics – Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
  2. Add Garlic and Zucchini – Stir in minced garlic and diced zucchini, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
  3. Simmer the Soup Base – Pour in canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, drained beans, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Cook the Pasta – Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until tender.
  5. Incorporate the Greens – Stir in chopped kale or Swiss chard and cook for 5 more minutes until wilted.
  6. Season and Serve – Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper, and serve hot with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Making the Garlic Bruschetta:

  1. Prepare the Bread – Slice the baguette or rustic bread into thick slices.
  2. Toast the Slices – Drizzle with olive oil and toast in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
  3. Rub with Garlic – While warm, rub each slice with a peeled garlic clove.
  4. Season and Serve – Sprinkle with salt and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free pasta or substitute with rice or quinoa.
  • Protein Boost – Add diced cooked chicken or sausage.
  • Spicy Kick – Add red pepper flakes.
  • Dairy-Free – Omit Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.
  • Different Greens – Use spinach or collard greens.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: soup, bread
  • Method: Stovetop, baking
  • Cuisine: italian

Keywords: winter minestrone, garlic bruschetta, Italian soup, comfort food, vegetarian minestrone