To start off, gather all the necessary ingredients. You will need a variety of vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, and canned tomatoes. You can also add other vegetables like potatoes, green beans, or spinach, depending on your preference. Additionally, you will need canned beans, such as kidney beans or cannellini beans, and small pasta noodles, like macaroni or shells. For added flavor, gather some garlic, dried herbs like oregano and basil, and vegetable broth.
Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to start preparing the soup. Begin by chopping all the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant. Then, add in the rest of the vegetables, excluding any leafy greens if you prefer to add them later.
Stir the vegetables occasionally and let them cook for a few minutes until they start to soften. Then, it’s time to add the canned tomatoes, drained beans, dried herbs, and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to simmer. Allow the soup to simmer for about 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
While the soup is simmering, prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Be sure to undercook the pasta slightly since it will continue to cook when reheated later. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside. If you plan to freeze the entire batch of soup, it’s best to add the cooked pasta to individual servings when reheating to prevent it from becoming mushy.
After simmering for the appropriate time, turn off the heat and let the soup cool down. Once the soup has cooled, you are ready to freeze it. Ladle the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Seal the containers tightly and label them with the date and contents. Frozen minestrone soup can typically last for up to three months in the freezer.
When you are ready to enjoy your frozen minestrone soup, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat it on the stove over low to medium heat until warmed through. If desired, you can add fresh leafy greens, like spinach or kale, during the reheating process to add some extra nutritional value.
In conclusion, preparing a frozen minestrone soup is a simple and convenient way to have a delicious and nutritious meal at your fingertips. By following these steps, you can create a flavorful soup that will be enjoyed by your entire family. So why not make a large batch of minestrone soup today and freeze it for those busy days when you need a quick and satisfying meal?