Quinoa Minestrone Soup

I crafted this one for my husband – just to be nice – as I was thinking I am not a fan of broth-based soups. But, it was delicious!!!

NOTE: You can sub 1 cup chopped celery for the celery seed. My kid just isn’t a fan of celery and I had everything else so I went the celery seed option to avoid grocery shopping and maybe make him a bit happier along the way!

TIP: Omit Parmesan cheese to make this recipe #OvoVege and #Vegan.

DID YOU KNOW? When you buy tomato paste but only use a bit, don’t throw the remaining contents away! Freeze them in 1 Tbsp pats sandwiched in wax paper in a freeze-safe storage bag/container.

Quinoa Minestrone Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 32 oz vegetable broth
• 2 (15 oz) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups baby spinach, trimmed and chopped
• 1 cup carrots, chopped (about 2 medium carrots)
• 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 2 Tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
• 3 tsp chopped garlic
• 2 tsp Nearly Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp celery seed

Directions

1. Set Instant Pot (IP) to SAUTÉ – NORMAL and allow to heat for at least 30 secs.
2. Add to IP’s inner pot 2 Tbsp EVOO and allow to heat for at least 30 secs.
3. Add 3 tsp chopped garlic, 1 cup chopped carrots, and 1/2 tsp celery seed and sauté for 4 mins.
4. Select CANCEL.
5. Add 32 oz vegetable broth, 2 (15 oz) drained and rinsed cans Great Northern beans, 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa, 3 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp Nearly Italian Seasoning, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt, and 1 tsp smoked paprika – then stir until well-combined.
6. Seal lid and select PRESSURE COOK (or MANUAL) for 4 mins.
7. When cooking cycle ends, allow a natural release for 5 mins then do a quick release and open the lid.
8. Add 2 cups chopped baby spinach and stir until spinach wilts.
9. Scoop into bowls, garnishing each equally with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	247
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.8g	11%
Saturated Fat 1.5g	8%
Cholesterol 3mg	1%
Sodium 12521mg	544%
Total Carbohydrate 31.4g	11%
Dietary Fiber 6.3g	22%
Total Sugars 8.5g
Protein 9.7g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 79mg	6%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 525mg	11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

#LactoVeg #LactoOvoVeg #LowFat