Hearty Italian Pasta Soup

The best meals are the ones that feel like a warm hug; nourishing, familiar and just a little bit fun. This hearty Italian pasta soup is exactly that. It’s the kind of meal that bubbles away on the stove while the afternoon unravels around you, filling the kitchen with the kind of smell that makes children wander in asking, “What’s that?”

Packed with vegetables, two types of beans and soft, shaped pasta that children can scoop up with a spoon, this soup is a powerhouse of nutrition hiding in plain sight. The gentle Italian herbs keep it flavourful without being too bold for developing palates, and a sprinkle of parmesan on top gives children that satisfying finish, because we all know the best part is always the cheese.

Italian Pasta Soup with Cheese – 4 servings

Ingredient:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic 
• 1  cup onion, small dice 
• 1 cup carrots, sliced 
• 1 cup potato, small dice 
• 1L  vegetable stock or chicken stock 
• 2  teaspoons tomato paste  
• 1 can diced tomatoes with juice 
• 1  can red kidney beans 
• 1  can of black beans 
• ½ cup peas 
• ½ cup corn 
• 1  teaspoon dried basil 
• 1  teaspoon dried oregano 
• ½ teaspoon black pepper 
• 1 teaspoon Paprika Ground 
• 1  tablespoon salt 
• 250g small, shaped pasta 
• 1  cup raw, chopped spinach 
• Parmesan cheese for garnish 

Method: 

• To a soup pot, heat oil, then add minced garlic and onion and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add the stock and bring to a simmer.
• Whisk in the tomato paste.
• Add the remaining ingredients except the pasta, spinach and cheese. 
• Bring the soup to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes. 
• Taste for seasoning and adjust. 
• Next, add the pasta and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Then, add the spinach for a minute. Serve with Parmesan cheese. 

We hope you enjoy this one. This is a recipe that invites children into the kitchen, too. Whether they’re watching the spinach wilt or simply keeping you company while you prepare everything, sharing the cooking experience is just as nourishing as the meal itself. Serve it up with some crusty bread, and you’ve got a dinner that the whole family will come back to, week after week.

If you’d like to learn more about the food that we serve or come and see our meals in action, you’re most welcome to book a tour, and we’ll happily show you around. Book a tour at a time that works for you and your family, or join our waitlist to hear about next availability.