To make Genovese-style minestrone with pesto, first gather your ingredients. You will need some extra-virgin olive oil, a large bunch of fresh basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, cannellini beans, chopped tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and pasta. You can use any kind of pasta you like, but small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow macaroni work best.
To start, preheat a large pot over medium heat. Add some extra-virgin olive oil and let it heat up for a minute. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are softened. Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes. Next, add the zucchini and potatoes, along with enough water to cover the vegetables by about 2 inches. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.
While the soup is simmering, make the pesto. In a food processor, combine a large bunch of fresh basil leaves, a quarter cup of pine nuts, a clove of garlic, and a quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese. Pulse until everything is finely chopped and well combined. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in some extra-virgin olive oil until the pesto is smooth and well combined.
Once the soup is finished simmering and the vegetables are tender, add a can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans and a cup of small pasta to the soup. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through. Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and stir in the pesto. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Serve the Genovese-style minestrone with pesto hot, with some crusty bread for dipping. This soup freezes well, so it is a great option for meal prep. Just freeze it in individual portions and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave for a quick and easy meal.
In conclusion, Genovese-style minestrone with pesto is a delicious and comforting soup that is perfect for the colder months. The combination of vegetables, beans, pasta, and pesto makes it a healthy and satisfying option for lunch or dinner. Try making it yourself at home and discover how easy it is to create an authentic Italian soup in your own kitchen.