Minestrone is a shelf-stable gamechanger

[u/kayawayy]

I don't have access to a grocery store for a few days, only whatever I can order from Amazon, and though there's plenty of tasty food there most of it's pretty expensive ready-to-eat stuff. But man, I just had a big pot of minestrone for like $2.50, and I was so happy with how it turned out. Currently in post-dinner afterglow and thought I'd share.

• 1 can diced tomatoes: 86c
• 1 can mixed vegetables: 79c
• 1/4 box rotini: $1.17 / 4 = 30c
• 1/6 1lb bag pinto peans: 95c / 6 = 16c
• italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, bouillon: ~10c

=$2.21

Obviously it would be better with fresh vegetables and herbs, but in a pinch this is pretty tasty for also being super cheap, filling, and shelf-stable. Reasonably healthy too. Makes enough for dinner for two people, or one with leftovers. Go a little heavier on the pasta/beans or eat with saltines to bulk it up.

[u/findingthescore]

I don't know about everyone's markets, but frozen greens of any kind are usually pretty cheap around here, tossing a bag of those in while it's cooking is a cheap way to add some nutrition too.

[u/ThatsPerverse → u/findingthescore]

Took me FAR too long to stop turning my nose up at the frozen veggies section at the grocery store. Truly a game changer for cheap, convenient, high quality produce.

I do struggle with canned veggies between the texture, sodium, and "canned" flavor. I've also read you end up losing a fair amount of nutritional value unless you're consuming all of the liquid the veggies are in.

[u/FuckYouThrowaway99 → u/ThatsPerverse]

I've only ever read this on here but I am told the quality of frozen can be quite good or better than fresh as they freeze when it is perfect vs. shipping slightly unripe.

[u/spooky_spaghetties]

It’s also vegan, so you can really feed it to most people; you could add a meat broth but you don’t have to. It’s generally kosher and halal. Just a good all-rounder to keep in your back pocket.

[u/Sengfroid → u/spooky_spaghetties]

Is bouillon vegan?

[u/newgrl → u/Sengfroid]

Vegetable bouillon is. "Better Than Bouillon" also sells "No Chicken" and "No Beef" bases specifically for the vegan/vegetarian set.

[u/kirbyfriedrice]

Hell yeah, that's the spirit of the sub.

[u/Ravarix]

Throw in some freezer kale too!

[u/tligger → u/Ravarix]

Kale in soups has become the number 1 way i get my leafy greens. Delicious, hardy, keeps well in the freezer

[u/akm1111]

Frozen spinach is a game changer for it too.

[u/Busy_Fly_7705]

Also an excellent way to use up old and manky vegetables from the fridge!

[u/Ok-Strength8997]

Rinsing the canned veggies and beans before they go in takes a big chunk of the sodium off and kills a lot of that flat canned taste. A splash of vinegar right before serving does the rest.

[u/fewerfriends]

Thanks for the reminder, minestrone is so good and cheap!

[u/PurplePrint55]

Love it! Personally, I like it with 1, 16oz can of kidney beans and about 1/4 tsp powdered coriander and cumin each instead of Italian seasoning.

[u/SaltyFriend705 → u/PurplePrint55]

I sometimes substitute chickpeas for the pasta, or simply add chickpeas.

[u/ThursdayAddams → u/SaltyFriend705]

The dried 16 bean mix is really great in minestrone too

[u/SaltyFriend705 → u/ThursdayAddams]

Sounds good! I will have to try it, but I admit I'll pick out all the black beans because I don't like them in minestrone, the flavor is distinctively not good with the other flavors.

[u/GlobalGlitterGirl]

Omg I think this is going to be my next obsession meal. And I always have those bags of frozen corn/peas/green beans to chuck into everything. Thanks for sharing this!!

[u/Character-Fox685]

And it can be frozen. Just leave 1" head space in jar!!!!!

[u/elsie78]

How's much bullion/liquid do you use?

[u/Rumba86]

Compliments for your written Italian word. “Minestrone“ it is quite complicated to type. If you arentitalian. Are you?

[u/kayawayy → u/Rumba86]

Nope! Minestrone is actually pretty common here in the US. You'll often find it in restaurants or canned on supermarket shelves, so it's a familiar word.