Warm up your kitchen and your soul with a bowl of classic comfort!
Minestrone soup, the hearty Italian vegetable soup, is easier to make than you might think. Packed with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta, it’s a nutritious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any time of year. Get ready to create a flavorful and vibrant Minestrone right in your own kitchen.
MINESTRONE SOUP
INGREDIENTS
VEGETABLES
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup chopped spinach or kale
PASTA & BEANS
- 1/2 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
SEASONING
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)
EQUIPMENT
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Vegetable peeler
- Ladle
INSTRUCTIONS
VEGETABLE PREPARATION
- 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3. Stir in diced tomatoes (undrained), vegetable broth, dried oregano, and dried basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- 4. Add diced potatoes and zucchini to the pot. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are almost tender.
- 5. Add green beans and pasta to the soup. Continue to simmer until pasta is cooked according to package directions and green beans are tender-crisp, about 8-10 minutes.
- 6. Stir in cannellini beans (or kidney beans) and chopped spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking, or until greens are wilted.
FINISHING THE SOUP
- 7. Season the minestrone soup with salt and pepper to taste.
- 8. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
- 9. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese on the side, if desired.
There you have it – a comforting and delicious bowl of homemade Minestrone soup! Feel free to customize this recipe with your favorite seasonal vegetables. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping and enjoy the taste of Italy in every spoonful. Buon appetito!
