Spencer's Lamb Minestone Soup

March 19, 2025

Spencer's Lamb Minestone Soup
You may know Spencer from seeing him completing chores with the farm operations team, but around here he's also known for stellar cooking skills. Each month, Spencer graciously prepares a team meal on a day we all look forward to that we call "feastivities." Spencer has filled our bellies (and hearts!) with many delicious meals these past several months, and today we share one of our favs - Lamb Minestrone Soup.
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Servings: 16

Ingredients

  • (2 pkgs) 12oz Ground Lamb
  • ((to taste) Top of Soup) Grated Parmesan
  • (8 oz) Ditalini Pasta
  • (1 14.5 oz. can) Dark Kidney Beans
  • (2 14.5 oz. cans) Petite Diced Tomatoes
  • (2 quarts) Vegetable broth
  • (1 Tbsp) Italian Seasoning
  • (1/2 tsp) Fennel Seed (ground)
  • (1/2 tsp) Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • (2 Tbsp) Garlic (minced)
  • (1 BIG handful) Baby Spinach
  • (1 bundle) Fresh Parsley (minced)
  • (1/2 pound) Fresh Green Beans (cut into pea size peices)
  • (1) Medium Zucchini (quartered to bite-size peices)
  • (1 cup) Celery (chopped to bite sized)
  • (1 cup) Carrots (cut to bite sized)
  • (1/2) Large Onion (chopped)
  • (3 Tbsp) Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

  1. Heat your olive oil in a pot. Add in your carrots, celery, green beans, and onion. Add some salt to your veggies because they get lonely. Sweat them on medium-high heat until they start to tender up a little. 5-6 minutes ish.
  2. Add in your crushed red pepper, ground fennel seed, and garlic. Cook for about a minute or 2.
  3. Add in your canned tomatoes. Don’t drain them just dump the whole can in. Drain and rinse your dark kidney beans then add them to the pot. Lastly, add your broth, add salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a boil.
  4. While your pot is coming to a boil, start cooking your lamb in a separate skillet. Make sure you crumble it as it cooks. Once done drain off the excess fat.
  5. Once the pot is at a boil, check to make sure your veggies are soft enough. Especially the carrots and green beans. If soft, add in your 1/2 box of Ditalini pasta. Bring down to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes stirring occasionally.
  6. After 8 minutes, add your zucchini, spinach, and lamb to the pot. Cook for 2 more minutes.
  7. Serve yourself up a bowl and top with grated Parmesan and parsley! Enjoy!

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