Comforting Minestrone

There is nothing like a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day.

This minestrone is packed with plant-based protein and is not only filling but also nutritious and it’s gluten-free!

Quinoa and chickpeas contain all 9 essential amino acids making them complete proteins. Also, both are complex carbs and are full of fiber.

Pair this with the veggies and you have a filling and nutritionally complete meal!

quinoa - minestrone recipe

Minestrone Recipe

This soup is great for those who are new to a plant-based diet or those who just love soup!

Not plant-based? Chicken would go wonderfully with this soup!

Serving suggestion: Warm crusty bread + a salad.

Comforting Minestrone

Recipe by Whitney – WillowbottomCourse: MainDifficulty: Easy
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes
Total time

1

hour 

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp Avocado Oil

  • 1/2 Onion, Diced

  • 2 Stalks celery, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

  • 1/3 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped

  • 1 Zucchini or yellow squash, diced into bite-sized pieces

  • 1 Carton Chicken or Veggie broth

  • 2 cups water

  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • 3/4 tsp Thyme leaves

  • 1 cup green beans, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 1 can diced tomatoes with juices

  • 1 can Chickpeas, drained

  • 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

  • 1 cup dry chickpea spiral noodles (can sub with regular noodles)

Directions

  • Add avocado oil to a pot and heat on med/high
  • Add onion and celery and cook until softened, then add in garlic and stir for a minute
  • Add zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, beans, seasonings, and parsley, mix to combine, and cook for a few minutes
  • Add quinoa, noodles, broth, and water bring to a boil, cover, and let it simmer over medium/low heat until the noodles are softened, adding more liquid as needed.
  • Taste for seasonings and salt and add more as needed.

Notes

  • The quinoa and noodles add a nice earthy flavor to the soup when you cook them in the soup. Alternatively, you could cook them separately.
  • Watch the liquid levels as the quinoa and noodles will soak up most of the liquid. Add more broth as needed.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @willowbottom_homestead on Instagram and use hashtag #willowbottom

Whitney Stokes

Whitney is a naturalist who started Willowbottom.com in 2018 to encourage natural and sustainable living.

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