recipe Minestrone Cottage Cheese Soup
Nothing says cozy quite like a steaming bowl of minestrone — but this version gets a nourishing, high-protein upgrade thanks to creamy Cottage Cheese and fresh, local veggies. With optional noodles and a sprinkle of real Parmesan, this soup is perfect for chilly evenings, meal prep, or feeding a hungry family.
🥕 Ingredients
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Carrots, chopped
- 2 cups celery, chopped
- 2 cups green beans, chopped
- 2 cans (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 8 cups Bone Broth (or veggie broth)
- 2 cups canned beans (cannellini or kidney)
- 2 cups Cottage Cheese, blended until smooth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan (fresh preferred)
- 1–2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp oregano, ½ tsp thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
🍳 Optional Protein Add-Ins
- 1 lb Ground Beef, ground turkey, or shredded rotisserie chicken
→ Brown meat separately and add with beans - 1 scoop unflavored collagen powder or bone broth protein per batch
→ Stir in with broth (don’t boil)
🍜 Optional Noodle Topper
- Cook 1 cup pasta (dry) → ~8 servings of ~¼ cup each
➤ Add just before serving
👩🍳 Instructions
- In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and green beans for 6–8 minutes until softened.
- Add tomatoes, bone broth, herbs, and optional collagen powder. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes.
- Add beans, blended cottage cheese, Parmesan, and cooked meat (if using). Stir well to melt and thicken.
- Simmer another 5–10 minutes on low. Season to taste.
- Serve hot, optionally over cooked Einkorn noodles.
🧀 Add meat? +7–10g protein per serving
🍜 Add ¼ cup Einkorn pasta? +45 kcal / +2g protein / +9g carbs
📊 Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: ~120–140 kcal
- Protein: 10–12 g
- Carbs: 6–8 g
- Fiber: 2–3 g
- Fat: 6–8 g
- Sat. Fat: 3–4 g
- Sodium: ~400–500 mg
🧠 Erin Utz RD Tip
Blend Cottage Cheese to make soups creamy with a protein punch. Parmesan and Cottage Cheese add richness and calcium — without needing heavy cream. Serve over pasta or with a slice of sourdough for fall meal prep success.
Follow her on social at @ErinUtz_RD.
