Fall Minestrone Soup

Ingredients and Weight:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 medium zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 pound butternut squash, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour and 15 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Beginner)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the zucchini, butternut squash, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, water, beans, and pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 400
• Fat: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 10g

Dish Characteristics:

• Hearty and filling
• Rich and flavorful
• Colorful and visually appealing
• Suitable for a variety of diets

User Comments:

• "This soup is so delicious! It's perfect for a cold fall day."
• "I love that this soup is packed with vegetables. It's a great way to get your daily dose of nutrients."
• "The creamy butternut squash adds a nice touch of sweetness to the soup."
• "This soup is surprisingly easy to make. I'll definitely be making it again."
• "I served this soup with some crusty bread and it was the perfect meal."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have butternut squash, you can substitute another type of winter squash, such as acorn squash or pumpkin.
• If you don't have chicken broth, you can use vegetable broth instead.
• You can add other vegetables to this soup, such as green beans, peas, or corn.
• To make this soup vegan, use vegetable broth and omit the Parmesan cheese.