This is the kind of recipe that starts appearing on repeat the moment the temperature drops. Created by Miriam Al-Noah – better known as @mealswithmim on Instagram and TikTok – it delivers everything you want from a winter dinner: hearty pasta, rich tomato broth and plenty of flavour from slow-rendered pancetta, softened vegetables and warming greens.
Packed with beans, cavolo nero and macaroni, it’s substantial enough to feel deeply comforting while still being simple enough for a weeknight. Like many of her recipes, it’s adaptable too, working just as well with whatever greens, pasta or beans you already have in the pantry.
Whether you’re making a big pot for family dinner or meal prepping lunches for the week ahead, this is one of those soups that somehow tastes even better the next day. Serve it with crusty bread, plenty of parmesan and a generous crack of black pepper for the ultimate cold-weather meal.
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
- 180 grams pancetta or guanciale
- ½ onion
- ½ carrot
- 2 stalks celery
- 2 gloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 800 grams chopped tomatoes
- 250ml chicken stock
- 250ml water
- ½ cup of pasta, I use macaroni
- Large handful cavolo nero
- Small handful of parsley
- Salt and Pepper
Method
- Slice your pancetta into small batons and render the fat in a large pan on a medium heat. Once cooked, remove from the pan, leaving the fat in the pan.
- Prepare your soffritto by finely dicing carrot, celery and onion. Add to the same pan with the pancetta fat and cook until softened and the onion is translucent.
- Add finely diced garlic and, once you can smell it cooking, add in the tinned tomato and stock alongside the bay leaves.
- Season with salt and pepper and continue to simmer.
- Chop your zucchini into large cubes and add to the pot with ½ cup of pasta.
- Cook this for another 4-5 minutes before adding the kidney beans and roughly chopped cavolo nero.
- Continue to simmer for a few minutes and taste to check the pasta is cooked, if using large pasta this may take a little longer.
- Once ready serve a large ladle full in a bowl and top with parmesan and parsley.
- Eat with some fresh crusty bread and butter, or also great on its own.
Looking for more winter recipe inspiration? We've rounded up our favourite cosy soup recipes and the best winter recipes we're adding to our cold-weather rotation.
