Grandma's Minestra Recipe

Name: Grandma's Minestra
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: ½ cup chopped bacon; 2 red onions, coarsely chopped; 5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped; 1 (8 ounce) can cannellini beans; 3 cups greens, chopped (swiss chard, mustard, any will do); 4 cups water (more or less, depending on how thick you want it); 1 chicken bouillon cube; 5 large carrots, chopped; 5 new potatoes, chopped (you can peel them if you want, I leave the skin on. This is not a lot of potatoes, as I don't care f); 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 6 sausages, cut into slices (I prefer to do this with frozen raw sausages, they're much easier to slice); ¼ teaspoon salt; 14-½ teaspoon black pepper; 18-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Servings: persons

½ cup chopped bacon
2 red onions, coarsely chopped
5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 (8 ounce) can cannellini beans
3 cups greens, chopped (swiss chard, mustard, any will do)
4 cups water (more or less, depending on how thick you want it)
1 chicken bouillon cube
5 large carrots, chopped
5 new potatoes, chopped (you can peel them if you want, I leave the skin on. This is not a lot of potatoes, as I don't care f)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
6 sausages, cut into slices (I prefer to do this with frozen raw sausages, they're much easier to slice)
¼ teaspoon salt
14-½ teaspoon black pepper
18-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1
Brown bacon in a large, heavy pot.
2
Once bacon is browned, add garlic and onions.
3
Saute garlic and onions until translucent.
4
Add cannelini beans and greens, mixing to incorporate.
5
Add water, boullion cube, carrots, potatoes, herbs and raw sausage slices.
6
Bring to a boil.
7
Once soup has boiled, reduce heat and simmer for 30 - 45 minutes.
8
Once sausages are cooked through, add salt and peppers to taste.
9
Great served on its own, or with a loaf of crusty Italian bread.

840

kcal

Calories

Fat

134

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: ½ cup chopped bacon, 2 red onions, coarsely chopped, 5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped, 1 (8 ounce) can cannellini beans, and more.

Yes, Grandma's Minestra falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Grandma's Minestra

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions