I made Ina Garten's minestrone soup, and it's the best cure for a cold or the winter blues

Anneta KonstantinidesJan 16, 2024, 05:47 IST

I made Ina Garten's winter minestrone soup, and it's perfect for a sick day. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I recently made Ina Garten's winter minestrone soup.
Her recipe is packed with veggies, including carrots, celery, butternut squash, and spinach.

Winter is here, as evidenced by the dropping temperatures, canceled plans, and empty pharmacy shelves.

But whenever I have the winter blues (or the flu), only one thing makes me feel better — a piping hot bowl of soup.

There are few celebrity chefs I find more comforting than Ina Garten, so I decided to try her winter minestrone soup.

Let's make it together.

Ina Garten's winter minestrone soup is packed with colorful veggies.

Garten's winter minestrone soup features butternut squash, carrots, celery, and pancetta. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

My prep began with plenty of chopping.

First, I chopped all of my veggies. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I also cooked the pasta ahead of time.

I also cooked my pasta so it would be ready for the soup. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

It was time to make a big pot of soup. First, I threw in the pancetta.

Garten says to cook your pancetta for six to eight minutes. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Then I added the veggies and herbs.

Then I added my peeled and diced butternut squash. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I cooked everything over medium heat, making sure to stir occasionally.

I cooked my veggies for 10 minutes, until they began to soften. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Then I added the chopped tomatoes and six cups of chicken stock.

Then I added the chicken stock. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I added the bay leaf and seasoned my mixture.

I seasoned the broth with salt and pepper. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I brought the broth to a boil, then lowered the heat and allowed it to simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

My boiling soup broth. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Once my broth was done simmering, I took out the bay leaf.

No one wants to eat the bay leaf. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Then I added the beans and pasta and allowed them to heat through.

My broth with the pasta and beans. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The pasta will likely absorb a lot of the broth. If your soup looks too thick at this stage, add more chicken stock.

My soup was almost ready. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Once I was ready to serve, I added the spinach to my soup.

Adding the spinach to my soup. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Then I added the white wine.

I chose a Pinot Grigio wine for this recipe. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I mixed everything together and gave my soup a quick salt check.

Check the saltiness of your soup before serving. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

After a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, my soup was ready.

Garten's winter minestrone soup is packed with bright bursts of color. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Garten's winter minestrone soup is delicious, hearty, and so comforting.

Garten's winter minestrone soup is packed with so much flavor. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

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