How to Make Culver’s Tomato Florentine Soup Recipe at Home

I don’t know about you, but I’m already over winter and it hasn’t even officially begun. It’s been unusually cold and rainy in the Northeastern United States. Unfortunately, we have at least 3 more months until we thaw ourselves out. The good news is, there’s plenty of hearty, healthy, and hot soup recipes to get us through.

This one, a delicious tomato Florentine recipe, comes to us courtesy of Culver’s. This family style chain opened its first restaurant in Wisconsin in 1984. There are now 893 franchises in 29 states. Originally known for their creamy custard and buttery burgers, their menu has evolved to include home-style recipes.

This spinach-based soup is one of their most popular and it’s waiting to be made. So bundle up and brave the cold to collect the ingredients. Then hunker down around a warm flame and get to souping.

How To Make Culver’s Tomato Florentine Soup Recipe At Home

Ingredients

• 1 can of tomato soup
• 28 ounces of diced tomatoes
• 1 can of beef broth
• 1 cup of water
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup of small pasta shells
• 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon of basil
• 1 cup of zucchini
• 2 cups of fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup of carrots
• 1/2 cup of celery
• salt and pepper to taste
• grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Steam or boil the carrots for about 5 minutes. They don’t need to be cooked all the way through.
2. Add all of the ingredients to a large pot and bring it to a boil.
3. Add pasta shells.
4. Cover and simmer on a medium low heat for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
5. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Add the grated Parmesan (optional).

Nutritional Information

• calories: 110
• fat: 1 gram
• fiber: 2 grams
• carbohydrates: 22 grams
• protein: 4 grams
• cholesterol: 0
• sodium: 1280 milligrams
• sugar: 7 grams

What Is Florentine?

Also known as, “a la Florentine”, this term is used in culinary circles to refer to dishes that have spinach as the base ingredient.

As the story goes, Catherine de Medici of Florence, Italy took a full staff of chefs and spinach with her to France when she married King Henry II. The queen consort loved the leafy green so much, she insisted that recipes be created to include it as much as possible.

The chefs did as ordered and word spread throughout France of these “fancy” meals and they were soon chefs all over the country making meals with spinach.

If you’re interested in adding this iron and calcium-rich veggie to your diet, here are some very tasty ideas.

1. Spanakopita

This delightful spinach and feta cheese pie hails from Greece. It would also make a great side for soup.

2. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

An easy yet impressive recipe. Use the cheese of your choice to create a juicy and smooth meal.

3. Quiche

This classic is similar to spanakopita, but you can use whatever cheese you like, add veggies, and it’s not covered over with dough.

4. Spinach Puffs

Mix some onion, garlic, cream cheese, and, of course, spinach into some pastry shells and bake. You’ll end up with some delicious appetizers or a quick breakfast.

5. Spinach Lasagna

A great twist on a classic dish. Also, a great source of iron if you’re vegetarian or vegan.

6. Tuscan Mac’ n Cheese

Spice up your everyday macaroni simply by adding some healthy spinach. You might also want to add some mushrooms for that authentic Tuscany flavor.

7. Spinach And Swiss Potato Casserole

A hearty side dish you’d be proud to bring to family celebrations or a neighborhood potluck.

How Should Leftover Tomato Florentine Soup Be Kept?

Your leftover Tomato Florentine soup is easy to save. If you plan to refrigerate, allow it to cool to room temperature. Then simply place it in airtight containers. The soup will be good for 3 to 4 days.

If you plan on freezing your soup, allow it to cool. You may want to remove the pasta shells. Pasta has a tendency to soak up the broth (in the refrigeration process as well). In addition, when frozen, the pasta will breakdown in the soup and give it a starchy, even grainy taste. You can make fresh pasta when you defrost the soup.

What Can I Serve With Tomato Florentine Soup?

You could just have a plain old sandwich. But if you’re in the mood for something extra, check out these suggestions.

1. Grilled Bacon And Cheese

For a tasty twist on grilled cheese, add in some bacon. Fry it up before grilling the sandwich.

2. Cheese and Bacon Scones

In keeping with the bacon theme, these scones are quick to bake and great for dipping in your soup.

3. Roasted Potatoes

Chop them up, salt and pepper, and toss in the air fryer. Delish.

4. Side Salad

If you want to keep things nice and light, just make a salad. Add some mozzarella or feta for some extra protein.

5. Breadsticks

If you just want that filling feeling that dough gives, some warm breadsticks go perfectly with tomato-based soups.

A Few Facts About Spinach

1. Spinach is 91% water.
2. 1 cup of spinach gives 120% of the daily value of vitamin K.
3. Spinach is native to Persia.
4. It was introduced to the United States around 1806.
5. It can help support good vision.
6. The top producers of spinach in the United States are: California, Arizona, New Jerse, Texas
7. The green leaf grows best in cool temperatures and sandy soil.
8. You should not wash spinach until you’re ready to eat it.
9. During Medieval times, artists would use the green pigment from spinach leaves for ink and paint.
10. Spinach farmers during the 1930s gave credit to the cartoon character Popeye, for a 33% increase in spinach sales.
11. Bird’s Eye was the first company to advertise frozen spinach in 1949.
12. National Spinach Day is March 26th.
13. China is the world’s top producer of spinach with 26 million tons a year.

You can also read:

• How to Make The Today Show Tomato Soup Recipe At Home
• How To Make the Medieval Times Tomato Bisque Recipe at Home
• How to Make PF Chang’s Egg Drop Soup Recipe at Home
• How to Make the Old Spaghetti Factory Minestrone Soup Recipe at Home
• How to Make Carrabba’s Tomato Basil Soup Recipe at Home