What is fake minestrone? Well, for starters, it’s not made from scratch.
I like soup, but I don’t like canned soup. So I try to make my own, but I don’t always have time to make it from scratch. In fact, I rarely have time.
Fortunately, there’s middle ground.
Bring a box and a half of low-sodium chicken broth to a boil. Add a couple of handfuls of elbow macaroni and cook for six minutes. Lower heat to a simmer.
Add frozen meatballs and cook until heated through.
Add frozen vegetables and cook until heated through.
Strain a can of diced tomatoes and mix in. Cook (can you guess?) until heated through.
Ladle into bowls and top with grated parmesan.
So there are meatballs, and no beans, and no leafy greens. And yes, I know that minestrone recipes vary widely across Italy–but I’m pretty sure Italian cooks aren’t making it from boxes and cans and the freezer. But on a night when you want something tasty and nutritious and easy, this gets the job done on all counts.
No pictures. Too tired. But well-fed.