Bacon Minestrone Soup

Bacon Minestrone Soup, a hearty dish made with simple ingredients and minimum effort. It's a quick and easy recipe that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and it's a perfect weekday dinner when time is short.

This classic Italian soup is full of goodness and so soothing. And a great way of clearing up the fridge, anything goes in, so not to worry if you don't have a certain ingredient, it will still be delicious, that's for sure.

As with everything I cook, I believe there is no right or wrong, and there is not such a thing as an original recipe - the best food is the one you make with lots of love. So this dish might not be authentic, but it's delicious and nutritious, and perfect for any season.

The addition of bacon was a great choice - it brings so much flavour! The main ingredients I used are: pasta (use any shape you have around), carrots, potatoes, celery stalks, kidney beans (or any other beans you like), plus stock and chopped tomatoes. As with seasoning, since there are so many delicious ingredients, we can keep it nice and light.

HOW TO MAKE BACON MINESTRONE SOUP

This soup really is simplicity at its best - and I can promise you, everyone will absolutely love it!

• add the bacon lardons to a pot, and fry until golden brown
• remove from the pot, add the butter and allow it to melt
• in goes the chopped onion - sautee until it begins to soften, then add the garlic and chopped tomatoes
• leave to cook for 2-3 minutes so it can bubble up, then add the chopped potatoes, carrots, celery stalk, pasta, cooked bacon, and beans
• pour over the stock, and leave to cook with a lid on until the veggies are tender
• add the Italian mixed herbs, salt and pepper, plus spinach - or replace it with parsley
• give it a good stir, and remove from the heat

EASY SWAPS

Soups are ever so versatile, this recipe can be tweaked to your own liking, anything goes. Root vegetables are particularly nice, so swede, turnip, parsnips can be some good additions too.

With greens, things are easy, I used frozen spinach because that's what I had around, but kale, cavolo nero or a combo of them also works.

I love bacon, and I think it's so good here, but feel free to add ham, any leftover meat too - chicken, beef, anything goes. Or even meatballs, they would work so well here - my Healthy Romanian Meatball Soup with Rice is pretty similar consistency wise with this minestrone soup, and the rice can be swapped for pasta too. Do give them a go!

If you’ve liked my BACON MINESTRONE SOUP or any other recipe on the blog, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

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