Minestrone with Turkey

  Lunch

I remember my mom making this soup; now I make it for my kids as often as I can. It's a good way to use up leftover vegetables. Sometimes I add a can of rinsed and drained kidney or garbanzo beans.

Minestrone with Turkey

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
YIELD: 6 servings (2 quarts).

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, sliced
  • 1 celery rib, sliced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth or homemade turkey stock
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2/3 cup each frozen peas, corn and cut green beans, thawed
  • 1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup cubed cooked turkey
  • 1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions

  • 1. In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add broth, vegetables, macaroni and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
  • 2. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Stir in turkey and zucchini; cook until zucchini is crisp-tender. Discard bay leaf. If desired, sprinkle servings with cheese.
    Freeze option: Transfer cooled soup to freezer container and freeze up to 3 months. To use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer to a saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until heated through. Serve with cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/4 cups (calculated without cheese): 172 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 1251mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.

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