A hearty & healthy vegetable minestrone stew topped with kale pesto. Perfect for cold winter nights or make ahead lunches. Vegan and gluten free.
We’re en route to snowy Chicago today and I’m trying to think warm thoughts. Yes, I grew up there, but I’m such a baby about winter. Scraping car windows, not being able feel my fingers & toes – I did it for years & it’s just not my thing.
BUT I’m excited to spend a little time with my family, eat some good food, and probably cook a little. On the menu, obviously, will be warm food like this hot & hearty vegetable-packed soup.
This is my take on minestrone although it’s a little less than traditional – it’s in between a soup and a stew, and it’s a little heavier on the vegetables and lighter on the noodles. It’s packed with good things like cauliflower, kale (and kale stems!). It’s especially good with the hemp seed & kale pesto I posted yesterday.
Sending warm soupy vibes!
Chickpea & Cauliflower Tomato Stew
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 4 kale leaves, stems chopped, leaves torn
- 2 to 3 cups small cauliflower pieces
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup white wine (or a splash of balsamic vinegar)
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- bundle of fresh thyme & rosemary (about 4 sprigs each)
- 6 cups vegetable broth (I like the Whole Foods brand)
- 4-6 oz. gluten free fusilli, elbow or shell pasta
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- Kale & Hemp Seed Pesto
- chopped parsley (optional)
- parmesan or pecorino cheese (optional, skip if vegan)
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the kale stems, cauliflower, and garlic. Season with more salt and pepper and cook 2 more minutes. Add the wine, stir, then add the tomatoes. Simmer for 8 minutes.
- Add the herbs, broth, pasta and chickpeas and another few pinches of salt. Simmer until the cauliflower is tender, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the pesto.
- Season the soup to taste. Before serving, stir in the kale until wilted.
- Serve soup with pesto and chopped parsley, if using, on the side.
My partner and I are obsessed with this soup. Packed full of veg and super flavorful. This is a a regular go-to weeknight dinner for us!
I’m so glad you both loved it so much!
Love this! I substituted Parmesan for nutritional yeast, used chickpea pasta and added pigeon peas! It turned out delish! Will making it again for sure!!
Love it. One of favorites now. Can this be frozen and reheated? I’d like to make a big batch and portion it out. To have for lunches or ad hoc dinners. So wondered if it worked freezing.
Hi Emily, so glad to hear! I like freezing it, the pasta gets softer as any soup with noodles would but that doesn’t personally bother me.
I made this and it was a major success! Cooking for second time today
Made this for dinner tonight and it was delish! I used Trader Joe’s red lentil noodles and they worked excellent. I also added a little extra wine 😉 YUM
Hi Alyson, I’m so glad you liked it! I’ll have to give those noodles a try!
Ok.. seriously — this recipe was a HOME. RUN. I never have high hopes for soups and stews as they’re not always my fave… but wow. This blew me and my family away. My dad had three helpings.. we could barely restrain ourselves from licking the pot clean! Thanks for such a great recipe. The kale pesto on tops just brings everything together in such a harmonious way 🙂
Hi
I just made this and it’s really tasty! I think I used too much pasta though. How many cups would elbows be? Also what is the serving size? I see it says serves 4 but looks like it made a lot!
Thanks!
Looks delicious! But I’m just a bit confused. Is the pesto meant to stirred into the stew?
Serve the pesto on the side – just spoon in a scoop of pest after the soup is portioned into bowls. It adds a really delicious pop of flavor.
Oh got it! Thank you!
Wow! Amazingly delicious soup and pesto. I started it off with 6 strips of salted smoked bacon (not the healthiest…but so, so good), then followed the rest of the recipe. I also used a couple pinches of smoked salt. Can’t wait to use my pesto with the spaghetti squash recipe this week! Thanks! I’m so happy I found your site.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Ooh, smoked salt sounds delicious, I’ll have to try using that in soups 🙂
This soup was delish and easy. I used a ton of veggies from my harvest for the soup and kale pesto, including the addition of corn to the soup. Will be eating leftovers for the next few days :-).
Love it! I love chickpeas and kale and combination is amazing! As of today, this is my favorite version of minestrone 🙂 I will be definitely making this soup again. Thanx!
Made this tonght. Fantastic!
what if you only have canned chickpeas on hand, want would the amount be?
just curious if using canned chickpeas, what is the amount one would use?
Hi Elane – a can is about 1 1/2 cups, so just shy of the whole can (I used canned chickpeas too)
This full-meal soup was just what my family needed on this freezing winter day! My whole crew gobbled it up and the 8yo even had seconds. And you’re right about that amazing pesto – it’s delicious and oh-so-good dolloped in this soup. YUMMY!! I’ll be making this many more times.
yeah!! SO glad your crew liked it 😉
What a warm, filling soup – this would be so delicious right now. Gotta get busy and make some soup!
Oh I’m a baby about winter too. I don’t mind the cold, but I hate the inconvenience. Scraping off my car, slip-slidin’ up the sidewalk, having to buy snow boots that never end up being comfy. Ugh.
On the other hand, winter is an excellent excuse to make myself a wonderful batch of this soup…i adore hearty, thick veggie stews. *bangs spoon on table. When’s dinner?
Ha, yep, I’m totally with you!
This soup looks divine and perfect for cozying up by the fire with a good book!
Wow! What a creative recipe. Shall try soon.
Yes!! Finally a soup that takes veggies to the next level!
How lovely! I was just on the hunt for a good veg-heavy soup to eat for lunches this week. I love the way the cauliflower tops get stained yellow. 🙂