Toasted Spaghetti Minestra with Tuscan Kale

  5.0 – 2 reviews  • Beans and Legumes
Level: Easy
Total: 30 min
Active: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  1. Handful dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/2 ounce)
  2. 4 cups chicken stock
  3. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  4. 2 tablespoons butter
  5. 8 ounces spaghettini, linguinetti or vermicelli, broken into 2- to 3-inch pieces
  6. 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  7. 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
  8. 1 carrot, finely chopped
  9. 1 onion, finely chopped
  10. Salt and pepper
  11. 1 bunch Tuscan kale, stemmed and thinly sliced
  12. A few grates nutmeg
  13. One 14-ounce can cannellini beans
  14. Grated Pecorino-Romano, for serving

Instructions

  1. Place the mushrooms, stock and 2 cups water in a pot and bring to a gentle simmer to reconstitute the mushrooms.
  2. Heat a soup pot over medium to medium-high heat with the olive oil. Melt the butter into the oil and add the pasta pieces. Brown the pasta until nutty and very fragrant. Remove the browned pasta and reserve in an airtight container for a make-ahead meal. If you are making the soup the same night you are serving it, leave it in the pot.
  3. Add the garlic, celery, carrots and onions to the pot, season with salt and pepper and partially cover the pan to sweat vegetables, 7 to 8 minutes. Wilt in the kale and season with a little freshly grated nutmeg.
  4. Remove the reconstituted mushrooms from the stock with a slotted spoon. Chop the mushrooms and add to the kale and vegetables. Add all but the last few spoonfuls of the soaking liquid to the soup pot. Add the beans and bring to a simmer.
  5. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. To serve, simmer the pasta in the soup until al dente. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and top with grated cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 4 servings
Calories 616
Total Fat 19 g
Saturated Fat 7 g
Carbohydrates 86 g
Dietary Fiber 11 g
Sugar 9 g
Protein 26 g
Cholesterol 30 mg
Sodium 1261 mg

Reviews

Shawna Dominguez
Good recipe, light but filling.  the toasted spaghetti is a nice touch.  used half the amount of spaghetti and increased the broth.  I also used fresh mushrooms.  I will make it again.
Catherine Gregory
AMAZING….I’ve made this a few times with my own twist and it’s always a hit!

 

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