Slow-Cooked Ham Hock Minestrone
A rich, slow-simmered Dutch oven minestrone packed with tender ham hock, hearty grains, and vibrant vegetables. Topped with a dollop of fragrant basil pesto for a deeply satisfying two-serving meal.
Prep
20 min
Cook
120 min
Total
140 min
Makes
2 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Laura + Lila
Laura created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Everyday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
20 min
Cook
120 min
Total
140 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven
Time saver
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb broth as it sits, so add a splash of warm water when reheating.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 11 steps complete
Next: Heat the olive oil in a large…
- 01
Heat the olive oil in a large…
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat for 2 minutes.
Allow: 2 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the diced onion
Add the diced onion, leek, carrot, and celery. Cook for 8 minutes until softened and translucent.
Look for: softened and translucent
Tap card to mark done - 03
Stir in the minced garlic and cook…
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 04
Pour in the reduced-salt chicken stock
Pour in the reduced-salt chicken stock, canned diced tomatoes, and dried soup mix. Stir well to combine.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Nestled the ham hock into the liquid
Nestled the ham hock into the liquid, ensuring it is mostly submerged.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Bring the broth to a gentle boil
Bring the broth to a gentle boil, then cover with a lid and reduce heat to low.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Simmer covered for 1 hour and 30…
Simmer covered for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the ham hock meat is tender and pulling away from the bone.
Look for: the ham hock meat is tender and pulling away from the bone
Tap card to mark done - 08
Carefully remove the ham hock to a…
Carefully remove the ham hock to a cutting board, shred the meat using two forks, and discard the bone and excess fat.
Tap card to mark done - 09
Return the shredded ham meat to the…
Return the shredded ham meat to the pot along with the diced zucchini and macaroni.
Tap card to mark done - 10
Simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes…
Simmer uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes until the macaroni is tender and the soup is rich and thick.
Look for: the macaroni is tender and the soup is rich and thick
Tap card to mark done - 11
Ladle into warm bowls and top each…
Ladle into warm bowls and top each serving with a spoonful of basil pesto before serving.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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