Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

By MaryEllen

Copycat recipe of Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup minced white onions (about 1 small onion)
• 1/4 cup chopped zucchini
• 1/4 cup frozen cut italian green beans
• 1/4 cup minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
• 4 cups vegetable broth (Swanson is good *note: Do not use chicken broth!*)
• 1 (15 ounce)can red kidney beans , drained
• 1 (15 ounce)can small white beans or great northern beans , drained
• 1 /2 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup carrots , julienned or shredded
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/3 cup small shell pasta
• Nutritional Info
• Servings Per Recipe: 8
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 190.1
• Total Fat: 4.0 g
• Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
• Sodium: 822.9 mg
• Total Carbs: 30.4 g
• Dietary Fiber: 9.0 g
• Protein: 8.9 g

Preparation

Step 1

Heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.

Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.

Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.

Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.

Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings.