Minestrone Soup is a classic Italian vegetable soup brimming with hearty vegetables, beans, and pasta in a rich tomato-based broth. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy meal and is both nutritious and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Hearty and Filling: Packed with a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta, this soup is a complete meal in a bowl.
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Nutritious: Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber from fresh vegetables and legumes.
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Versatile: Easily adaptable to include your favorite seasonal vegetables or pasta shapes.
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Great for Leftovers: Flavors deepen over time, making leftovers even more delicious.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Olive oil
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Yellow onion
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Carrots
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Celery
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Yukon gold potatoes
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Garlic
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Dried oregano
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Dried basil
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Italian seasoning
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Salt and black pepper
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Tomato paste
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Low sodium vegetable broth
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Fire roasted diced tomatoes
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Zucchini
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Short pasta (such as ditalini, small shells, or elbow pasta)
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Kidney beans or cannellini beans
Directions
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Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened.
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Add Potatoes and Seasonings: Stir in diced potatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for a few minutes.
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Incorporate Tomato Paste: Add tomato paste, stirring continuously to blend well with the vegetables.
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Pour in Liquids: Add vegetable broth and fire roasted diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil.
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Simmer: Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender.
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Add Zucchini and Pasta: Stir in chopped zucchini and pasta. Continue to cook until pasta is al dente.
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Add Beans: Finally, add the drained and rinsed beans. Cook for a few more minutes to heat through.
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Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, optionally garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 40 minutes
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Total Time: 1 hour
Variations
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Protein Addition: Incorporate cooked Italian sausage or shredded chicken for added protein.
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Grain Substitute: Replace pasta with quinoa or rice for a gluten-free option.
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Seasonal Vegetables: Add or substitute vegetables based on seasonality, such as green beans, spinach, or butternut squash.
Storage/Reheating
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Refrigeration: Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheating: Warm the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
FAQs
What is minestrone soup?
Minestrone is a traditional Italian soup made with a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta or rice, all simmered in a tomato-based broth.
Can I make minestrone soup vegan?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan if you use vegetable broth and omit any optional cheese toppings.
What type of pasta works best in minestrone?
Short pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or elbow macaroni are commonly used.
How can I thicken my minestrone soup?
For a thicker consistency, you can mash some of the beans before adding them to the soup or let the soup simmer longer to reduce the liquid.
Is minestrone soup healthy?
Yes, it’s packed with vegetables and beans, providing a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Can I use canned beans?
Absolutely, canned beans are convenient and work well. Just be sure to drain and rinse them before adding to the soup.
How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?
To avoid mushy pasta, cook it until just al dente and consider adding it to individual servings if you anticipate leftovers.
What can I serve with minestrone soup?
Minestrone pairs well with crusty bread, a side salad, or a grilled cheese sandwich.
Can I cook this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, sauté the vegetables first, then transfer all ingredients except pasta to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, adding cooked pasta just before serving.
How do I add more flavor to my minestrone?
Enhance flavor by adding a Parmesan rind during cooking, using fresh herbs, or a splash of balsamic vinegar before serving.
Conclusion
Minestrone Soup is a versatile
Print
Minestrone Soup
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Minestrone Soup is a classic Italian vegetable soup brimming with hearty vegetables, beans, and pasta in a rich tomato-based broth. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy meal and is both nutritious and delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 Yukon gold potatoes, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup short pasta (ditalini, small shells, or elbow)
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add Potatoes & Seasonings: Stir in potatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute.
- Pour in Liquids: Add vegetable broth and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Add Zucchini & Pasta: Stir in zucchini and pasta. Cook until pasta is al dente.
- Add Beans: Stir in drained beans and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Make it gluten-free: Swap pasta for quinoa or rice.
- Add protein: Mix in cooked sausage or shredded chicken.
- Extra flavor: Add a Parmesan rind while cooking or a splash of balsamic vinegar before serving.
- Storage: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
