Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup of frozen chopped onions
- 1 cup of frozen diced tomatoes
- 1 cup of frozen kidney beans
- 2 cups of frozen pasta (whichever shape you prefer)
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the frozen mixed vegetables, frozen chopped onions, and minced garlic. Sauté them for a few minutes until they become slightly tender. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the pot.
Step 2: Add the Tomatoes, Beans, and Spices
Next, add the frozen diced tomatoes, frozen kidney beans, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and coat them with the aromatic spices. Let the mixture cook for a few more minutes until the flavors meld together.
Step 3: Pour in the Broth
Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes. The gentle simmer will allow all the flavors to blend, creating a rich and delicious soup.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta
While the soup is simmering, cook the frozen pasta separately according to the instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
Step 5: Combine the Soup and Pasta
Add the cooked pasta to the pot of simmering soup. Stir gently to combine and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes to infuse the pasta with the flavors of the soup.
Step 6: Cool and Package
Allow the soup to cool down completely before packaging it for freezing. Dividing the soup into individual portion-sized containers is a great way to have convenient meals ready to go whenever you need them.
Step 7: Freeze and Label
Place the sealed containers in the freezer and make sure to label them with the date and contents for easy identification later on.
Step 8: Thaw and Reheat
To enjoy your frozen minestrone soup with pasta, simply take out a container from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. You can also heat it in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature.
With these easy steps, you can prepare a comforting bowl of homemade minestrone soup with pasta whenever you fancy, even on your busiest days. Give it a try and taste the flavorful goodness of this effortless frozen meal!