Bean and Vegetable Soup with Pesto Topping

Ingredients

1 cup chopped thoroughly washed leeks (white portion and some green)

1/2 cup each sliced carrot, celery, green beans, and zucchini

3 ounces diced pared all-purpose potato

3/4 ounce uncooked thin spaghetti or vermicelli, broken into pieces

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp olive or vegetable oil, divided

2 small garlic cloves, minced, divided

2 cups each canned crushed tomatoes and water

2 tbsp tomato paste, divided

1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 cup fresh basil or 1 tbsp basil leaves

Dash each salt and pepper

14 ounces rinsed drained canned red kidney beans


Method

  • In 4-quart microwave casserole combine leeks, carrot, celery, green beans, zucchini, potato, pasta, 2 tsp oil, and half of the minced garlic.

  • Cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave on High (100%) for 4 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.

  • Stir in tomatoes, water, and 1 tbsp tomato paste and microwave on High for 16 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes through cooking.

  • While soup is cooking prepare pesto topping.

  • In wok bowl of food processor combine 1/2-ounce Parmesan cheese, the basil, salt and pepper, the remaining 2 teaspoons oil, the remaining garlic, and the remaining tablespoon tomato paste and process until smooth, set aside.

  • Add beans to soup and stir to combine; re-cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave on High for 1 minutes, until thoroughly heated.

  • To serve, divide soup into 4 soups bowls and top each portion with 1/4 of the pesto topping and remaining Parmesan cheese.

  • MAKES 4 SERVINGS, ABOUT 1 3/4 CUPS EACH.

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