If you have running water, some pasta, beans and tinned tomatoes in the pantry, fresh veggies and herbs in the fridge and a hot cooking element then you have the means to provide a nourishing meal for yourself. Sometimes, it doesn't get any simpler than that. Pantry soup is something most home cooks are familiar with. You might have made a version of it yourself in the past. A what's-in-the-pantry-let's-chuck-it-in kind of chunky soup, ours takes on a new look and taste every single time. This one is our favourite version and is an ode to the classic minestrone soup. It is perfect to lift up a blah evening when you don't want to cook but don't want to do takeaway either. The kids can help gather the ingredients and if you make lots, you can freeze it for another rainy day.
Have you made pantry soup before? What are your favourite flavours and ingredients to use?
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PNATRY SOUP
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 200 g smoked speck or bacon, diced
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 6 thyme sprigs
- 400 g can chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 150 g macaroni pasta, uncooked
- 400 g can cannelini beans
- 1 tablespoon mild smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottomed saucepan. Add speck (or bacon) and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until starting to brown. Add garlic, onion, carrot, celery and bay leaves. Sauté for another couple of minutes.
- Add chicken stock, tomato paste and tinned tomatoes. Cook for 25 minutes on medium heat until starting to boil. Reduce heat. Add beans, paprika, macaroni and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for another 10 minutes on medium-low heat until pasta is al dente. Discard bay leaves before serving.
- Serve hot with a dash of pesto stirred through and a crusty bread on the side.
Notes
My pantry usually consists of onion, chorizo, tinned beans & tomato. I almost always have chorizo or smoked ribs in the freezer so a quick zap in the microwave and it's ready to be used.
ah yes, I love chorizos and kranskies in my pantry soups and stews, they add such a depth of flavour!
Love it! I often do pantry soups, or pantry pastas. It makes me feel so virtuous to use up things that might otherwise go to waste... plus, I end up with a delicious dinner. Everyone wins!
I love the name - pantry soup. I make a forage soup which is just whatever happens to be available. Your photos are wonderful and make a warming dish look even more appetising. GG
ah, I like the sound of a forage soup. I wish we had woods filled with mushrooms and wild herbs - that would make a perfect forage soup!
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SOUP KITCHEN, here for entry details and current theme. New theme each month. All bloggers are welcome, hope to see
you participate soon.
You are welcome to join in my monthly food blogger event THE SOUP KITCHEN, here for entry details and current theme. New theme each month. All bloggers are welcome, hope to see you participate soon.
The soup looks so comforting and this is the best way to clean your pantry!
🙂 ! Some would almost dare call this a minestrone or its cousin, auntie or uncle: but pantry soup does have a ring!!!
I love pantry soup it is such a great way to clean out the fridge/freezer/pantry. In summer my favourite thing to do is pantry frittata!
I think I have most of the ingredient you have listed so this might be something I do on Sunday for the rest of the week!
I made a pantry soup on the weekend - we had a big chunk of pumpkin & some floppy carrots & celery to use up. It ended up tasting like celery - but it was actaully pretty yummy. In the past I just would've chucked all those sad vegies in the bin - how stoopid am I?
that does sound good actually. very cleansing! It is nice how one can change the taste of the soup/stew based on one's mood and what is available on hand.
I love pantry soup! Tonight I'm feeling a bit puny, and planning a pantry soup of homemade chicken stock, tomato, fresh borlotti beans, green beans, penne pasta, carrots, thyme, and chicken. Yours looks delicious!
My pantry soup idea is very similar to yours. At times, I drop noodles or orzo. We both are soup lovers and we don't need a cold winter to enjoy soup 🙂
I agree that this is a great, easy meal - anything and everything in the pot. I also do this with a pizza base - anything I can find in the fridge that looks like will work goes on top.
Yes! Eating the pantry (or freezer, or both) is such a useful way to cook. And it's clearly delicious besides!
This is a perfect pantry soup - pure comfort food!
Love the name of the soup 🙂 I make soups like this all the time... they are so comforting and hearty!
A great idea! This soup looks so comforting and delicious.
Cheers,
Rosa