Italian Minestrone Soup
A comforting, hearty, and vegetable-packed classic Italian soup that warms the soul with every spoonful.
Ingredients
- •3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •1 medium yellow onion, diced
- •2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- •2 celery stalks, diced
- •3 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 medium zucchini, diced
- •1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
- •1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- •6 cups vegetable broth
- •1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- •1 can (15 oz) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- •1 cup small pasta shape such as ditalini or elbow macaroni
- •2 cups fresh baby spinach
- •1 teaspoon dried oregano
- •1 teaspoon dried basil
- •2 bay leaves
- •Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- •1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- 2
Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- 3
Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the diced zucchini, green beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, and bay leaves.
- 5
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- 6
Stir in the cannellini beans, kidney beans, and small pasta, cooking uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the pasta and vegetables are tender.
- 7
Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the fresh baby spinach until it wilts into the hot soup, and discard the bay leaves.
- 8
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm with grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
💡 Chef tips
- To make this recipe strictly pareve and vegan, simply omit the optional Parmesan cheese topping or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- If you plan to store leftovers, cook the pasta separately and add it to individual bowls before ladling the soup, as pasta tends to absorb all the broth when stored together.
- Feel free to swap or add seasonal vegetables like diced potatoes, butternut squash, or green cabbage depending on what you have on hand.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished minestrone is vibrant and aromatic, featuring a rich, savory tomato broth loaded with tender vegetables, beans, and perfectly cooked pasta.