Classic Minestrone Soup

One of the healthiest vegetable-loaded soups you’ll make!

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 slices bacon roughly sliced into bite size pieces
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 2/3 cup chopped leeks white part only
  • 2/3 cup chopped celery
  • 3 quarts beef stock 12 cups
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2-3 chunks of Parmesan cheese rind
  • 1 1/2 cups potatoes
  • 1 cup small macaroni
  • 1 15- ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 15- ounce can red kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 2/3 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

  • Add the bacon to a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat and cook until browned but not crispy.
  • Add the onion, carrots, leeks and celery then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the beef stock, kosher salt, pepper, and cheese rinds. Bring to a boil then reduce to a gently rolling simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, partially covered with a lid.
  • Add the potatoes, macaroni, and tomatoes, then partially cover with the lid, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes more.
  • Add the kidney beans and peas, and simmer until warmed through. Taste for seasoning and adjust to your taste.
  • Just before serving, add the grated Parmesan cheese and serve sprinkled with more Parmesan if you’d like.

Notes

Make your own homemade beef broth/stock with this recipe.

Or, use a vegetable broth instead.

Book Your Event

Complete the quick form below to learn more and save your date!
MM slash DD slash YYYY
As Seen On...

How to make a proper omelette

ST. LOUIS, MO- Chef Larry Gerstein is owner of Championship Catering. He joins KPLR anchor Dan Gray to show him how to make a proper omelette.

Posted 12:50 pm, June 1, 2016, by Staff Writer, Updated at 02:21pm, June 1, 2016.

As Seen On...

How cooking with herbs and spices improves your dishes

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – Chef Larry Gerstein of Championship Catering visits to teach how cooking with spices and herbs can improve any dish.

His favorite herbs include rosemary, chives, cilantro, and dill, and shares his secret to easy cooking, which is buying herbs!

Gerstein uses spices and herbs to add flavor and to garnish the dish.

Posted 12:08 pm, June 1, 2016, by Tess Hill, Updated at 12:07pm, June 1, 2016.

As Heard On...
0:00 / 0:00
Chef Larry G
As Heard On...
0:00 / 0:00
Chef Larry G
A Message From Mike Shannon, St. Louis Cardinals Radio Sportscaster and former Major League Baseball player!
0:00 / 0:00
Mike Shannon