Description
Minestrone soup is a nourishing Italian classic filled with fresh vegetables, hearty beans, and small pasta shapes simmered in a savory broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or meal prepping, this soup balances wholesome nutrition and delicious flavor. Easy to customize with seasonal veggies and flexible ingredients, it suits a variety of diets, especially vegetarian and vegan when dairy is omitted. Serve hot with crusty bread for a comforting, satisfying meal any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 4 cups diced fresh tomatoes or 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or a handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in potatoes, zucchini, green beans, and tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Add beans and pasta; simmer for another 10 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Adjust flavors as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
- For gluten-free, substitute pasta with rice or gluten-free pasta.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or pesto before serving for extra depth.
- Use fresh herbs if available for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove-top simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg