Description
A hearty and flavorful Italian Minestrone Soup, packed with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta, simmered in a rich tomato broth.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Beans:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids & Seasoning:
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup water (as needed)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 bay leaf
Pasta & Garnish:
- 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or elbow)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)
- ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Sauté the Aromatics:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
-
Add Vegetables & Beans:
- Stir in zucchini, potato, green beans, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, and kidney beans.
- Season with salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and bay leaf.
-
Simmer the Soup:
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for 20–25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Add the pasta to the soup and let it cook for another 8–10 minutes, until al dente.
- If the soup becomes too thick, add a little more water or broth.
-
Final Touches & Serving:
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
For a richer flavor, allow the soup to sit for a few hours before serving. You can also add other seasonal vegetables or substitute pasta with rice for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: minestrone, Italian soup, vegetable soup, hearty soup, easy soup recipe