Vegan Minestrone Soup

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Ingredients

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 cup cubed whole-grain rustic bread

  • 1 cup chopped leek, white and light green parts only, rinsed well

  • 1 cup chopped carrots

  • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

  • 3 cups water

  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 cup ditalini pasta or other small pasta

  • 10 ounces zucchini (about 1 medium), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

  • 1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed

  • 3 cups fresh baby kale or chopped kale

  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook garlic and 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the garlic is softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add bread; toss to coat. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet. Bake until toasted, 8 to 10 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add leek and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add broth, water and salt; cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and reduce heat to medium-high; cook uncovered, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add zucchini; cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 5 minutes. Stir in beans, kale, peas and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale is wilted, about 2 minutes. Ladle the soup evenly into 6 bowls; sprinkle with the croutons.