Vegetarian Minestrone Soup with Dinner Rolls
A hearty, vegetable-packed minestrone featuring tender kidney beans and warm Trader Joe's dinner rolls on the side. Packed with fiber and plant-based protein for a deeply comforting meal.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Beth + Lila
Beth 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
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
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
A steadier afternoon
Give your day a solid food foundation
Being properly fed cannot solve a hard day, but a substantial meal can remove hunger and an energy dip from the list of things you are juggling.
Notice: mood + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large pot · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If the pasta absorbs too much broth overnight, add a splash of water or broth 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 9 steps complete
Next: Chop 0
- 01
Chop 0
Chop 0.5 pcs yellow onion, 1 pcs carrot, and 1 pcs celery stalk into small, even pieces.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a…
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, around 350°F (175°C).
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add the onion
Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the pot and cook for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
Look for: soft and fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add 1 pcs minced garlic clove and…
Add 1 pcs minced garlic clove and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour in 1
Pour in 1.5 cups vegetable broth and 0.5 cups diced canned tomatoes, then add 0.5 cups drained kidney beans and 0.25 cups small pasta (like ditalini or elbow).
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Bring to a boil
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until the pasta is tender.
Look for: the pasta is tender
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Stir in 0
Stir in 0.5 cups fresh baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes until just wilted.
Look for: just wilted
Tap card to mark done - 08
Warm 2 pcs Trader Joe's dinner rolls…
While the soup simmers, warm 2 pcs Trader Joe's dinner rolls in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes until soft and warm.
Look for: soft and warm
Tap card to mark done - 09
Ladle the soup into a bowl and…
Ladle the soup into a bowl and serve immediately alongside the warm dinner rolls.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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