Italian Supper Soup

Easy to make on short notice, or even prepare in advance, Italian Supper Soup combines pantry staples with fresh spinach to create a warm and nourishing dinner option that accommodates a challenging schedule.

Warm Tidings

During December I often find myself wanting a hot nutritious dinner when I have little time to prepare one. There are so many evenings out in December, running to meetings and to special seasonal events. Festive refreshments served at these events are filling and it is tempting to skip meals and eat on the go.

But to leave home hungry is to risk over-indulging in those calorie-intensive holiday specialties. Even though holiday refreshments may stave off hunger they usually fall short of providing a nutritious meal. December can be hectic and when times are hectic a hot healthy dinner, especially one on the light side, can feel absolutely healing.

What I need for those hectic times is something that is quick, inviting and easy to assemble. Something warm and satisfying is even better. When it is also something I can pull together on short notice, mostly from pantry staples, I’m all in. Italian Supper Soup fits that description. It is the perfect stand-by to tide you over in this exuberant season.

Christmas Soup

I first saw this simple recipe in the newspaper many years ago. It appealed to me on many levels. I love the flavor of basil, the heartiness of white beans and the texture of orzo. Made from canned beans and diced tomatoes in a savory vegetable broth, it sounded like a great anchor for a quick dinner. I clipped the recipe and in no time it became a weeknight favorite.

Italian Supper Soup comes together quickly. It can even be made in advance. Then, just before dinner, heat the broth, add the pasta and stir in the spinach until wilted. A warm bowl of Italian Supper Soup really dresses up a quick sandwich or salad. It can also stand alone when you want something nutritious to take the edge off your hunger before going out to a spread of rich holiday foods.

My family started calling this recipe Christmas Soup several years ago. They noted the red chunks of tomato among the green leaves of spinach floating in the tasty broth. A bowl of this pretty soup does offer a splash of festive color to the table as it warmly sustains us through the buildup and busyness of the season.

Italian Supper Soup

Course: Main Dish, Soup, VegetablesCuisine: Italian/AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Total time

35

minutes

When times are hectic, easy to make Italian Supper Soup, with white beans, orzo and spinach, can feel absolutely healing.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 (14-ounce) cans vegetable broth

• 2 (16-ounce) cans cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 (14-ounce) can peeled tomatoes, crushed or chopped

• 1/2 cup tiny pasta, like orzo (or 1 cup larger pasta, like penne)

• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced into strips

• 2 – 3 cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and roughly chopped

Directions

• Heat the olive oil in a 4 quart soup pot. Add chopped onions and garlic and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the vegetable broth, white beans and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Cook pasta until it is almost tender. Rinse, drain and set aside.
• (At this point the soup and pasta can be refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the meal.)
• If the soup has been set aside bring it back to a simmer. Add the pasta and then stir in the basil and spinach, cooking just until the spinach has wilted and turned a bright green.
• Serve immediately.