Name: Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, (diced); 2 medium carrots, (julienned or shredded); 2 null celery ribs, (thinly sliced); 1 small to medium zucchini, (sliced and quartered); 6 cloves garlic, (minced); 2 null bay leaves; 2 tbsps brewers yeast (optional (or to taste)); 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 0.5 tbsp dried oregano; 0.25 tsp salt, (more or less to taste); 0.25 tsp black pepper, (more or less to taste); 0.125 tsp red pepper flakes, (optional); 4 cups vegetable broth ((960g)); 2 cups water ((480g)); 28 oz canned diced tomatoes ((910g)); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 15 oz canned Great Northern beans, (drained and rinsed (260g)); 15 oz canned Kidney beans, (drained and rinsed (270g)); 1.5 cups small shells ((225g)); 2 cups collard greens, (chopped); 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, (optional); null null fresh parsley; null null vegan Parmesan cheese, (grated for topping)

Instructions

Show units in method

1

In a large heavy bottomed pot, over medium heat, add the olive oil (2 tbsp). Once heated, add in yellow onion, diced (1 medium), ribs, thinly sliced (2 celery), carrots, julienned or shredded (2 medium), and to medium zucchini, sliced and quartered (1 small). Sauté until softened. Add garlic, minced (6 cloves), stir, and cook for 30 more seconds.
2

Add leaves (2 bay), brewers yeast (2 tbsps) (if adding), Italian seasoning (1 tbsp), dried oregano (0.5 tbsp), salt (0.25 tsp), black pepper (0.25 tsp), and red pepper flakes (0.125 tsp) (if adding). Stir together and let cook for 30 seconds.
3

Add vegetable broth (4 cups), water (2 cups), canned diced tomatoes (28 oz), and tomato paste (2 tbsp) to the pot. Bring to a simmer. Add the canned Great Northern beans (15 oz), canned Kidney beans (15 oz), and small shells (1.5 cups). Allow to simmer until pasta is cooked. Add collard greens (2 cups) and fresh lemon juice (2 tbsp) (to taste) and allow to cook until softened and wilted.
4

Taste and add more seasoning as desired. Remove from heat and serve topped with [fresh parsley] and [vegan Parmesan cheese] on top.