Winter Minestrone Butternut Squash Kale (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty Italian soup loaded with butternut squash, kale, beans, and pasta in rich tomato broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 small butternut squash, approximately 1.5 pounds, peeled and diced
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup fresh kale, stems removed and chopped
09 - 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces, with juices

→ Legumes and Grains

10 - 1 can cannellini beans, 15 ounces, drained and rinsed
11 - 0.5 cup small pasta such as ditalini or elbow macaroni

→ Liquids

12 - 6 cups vegetable broth
13 - 1 cup water

→ Spices and Seasonings

14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Finishing

19 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
20 - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced butternut squash and zucchini. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, and water. Bring to a boil.
05 - Stir in dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes if using. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
06 - Stir in drained cannellini beans and pasta. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until pasta and squash become tender.
07 - Stir in chopped kale and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
08 - Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley.
09 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The butternut squash adds a natural sweetness that balances the tomatoes perfectly
  • Its one of those soups that actually tastes better the next day
  • Everything cooks in one pot, leaving you with minimal cleanup
02 -
  • The pasta will continue absorbing liquid as the soup sits, so you may need to add more broth when reheating leftovers
  • Butternut squash takes longer to cook than the other vegetables, so cut it into uniform, bite-sized pieces
  • Adding a Parmesan rind during simmering creates an incredibly rich, savory depth
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze portions for those nights when cooking feels impossible
  • The soup tastes even better after resting overnight, so dont hesitate to make it ahead
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