Hearty Minestrone Soup

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
   • Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced celery, and diced carrots.
   • Sauté until the vegetables start to soften.
2. Add Remaining Ingredients:
   • Add the diced potatoes, snipped green beans, whole kernel corn, and diced squash.
   • Stir in the diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, baby spinach, and Ditalini pasta.
3. Incorporate the Sauce and Seasonings:
   • Pour in the red sauce and add enough water to achieve the desired soup consistency.
   • Add the dried Italian seasoning, bay leaves, thyme leaves, minced oregano, and black pepper.
   • If using, add the diced fennel fronds at this stage.
4. Simmer:
   • Allow the soup to come to a gentle simmer.
   • Let it cook until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld together.
5. Adjust Seasoning and Serve:
   • Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed.
   • Ladle the hot minestrone into bowls and serve.

Additional Notes: Feel free to customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences and ingredient availability. Minestrone soup is highly adaptable, so you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand to create a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you prefer a vegetarian version, a meaty option, or something in between, let your creativity guide you.

Finishing Touch: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on top will elevate each spoonful of soup to new heights of flavor. Enjoy every bite of this hearty and soul-warming minestrone soup, and may it bring you the same joy and comfort that it has brought to my family and me for generations.

Mangia! Cheers to good food, cherished memories, and the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with loved ones. 🍲😊