ROASTED VEGETABLE MINESTRONE

A delicious, comforting soup packed with pasta and vibrant vegetables—fall is here!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 zucchini, halved, cut into strips, then cubed
  • 2 summer squash, halved, cut into strips, then cubed
  • 8 oz white mushrooms, stems removed and quartered
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (additional)
  • 2 carrots, washed and sliced (unpeeled)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced (including leaves)
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed
  • 1 cup (heaping) cut green beans, fresh or frozen
  • 1 1/2 cups medium or small pasta shells, uncooked
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric (optional)
  • Shaved Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 500°F.
  • Toss the cubed zucchini, squash, and mushrooms with olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. Spread them evenly on two sheet pans (to avoid crowding) and roast in the hot oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until browned with blackened spots. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • In a large pot, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, and celery, stirring to cook for about 3 minutes. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the cannellini beans and green beans to the pot. Cook on low for another 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes, stir, and let cook for another 5 minutes on low heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and turmeric.
  • Stir in the roasted vegetables just before serving. Allow the soup to simmer and heat through for a few minutes. Taste again and add more broth if needed to adjust the liquid.
  • Serve the soup with shaved Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty Italian bread.