Hearty Italian Minestrone Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty Italian soup with vegetables, pasta, beans, and aromatic herbs. Wholesome comfort in every bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or chopped kale

→ Base & Liquids

09 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
10 - 6 cups vegetable broth
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Pasta & Beans

12 - 3/4 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow)
13 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini or kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Herbs & Seasonings

14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1 bay leaf
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
19 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish

# How-To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced zucchini, and green beans. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
04 - Add pasta and drained beans. Cook for 10 minutes or until pasta reaches al dente texture.
05 - Stir in spinach or kale and fresh parsley. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until greens are wilted.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with additional fresh parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and actually tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • One pot means less to clean, more time to actually enjoy what you've made.
  • It stretches a pantry full of vegetables into something that feels intentional and nourishing.
02 -
  • Don't add the pasta too early or it'll continue absorbing liquid and turn to mush, even after you think you're done cooking.
  • Rinsing the beans isn't just fussy, it actually makes the broth clear and clean instead of starchy and cloudy.
03 -
  • If your broth is bland, minestrone will taste bland too, so taste it before you start and adjust expectations accordingly.
  • Cook the pasta separately if you're planning to store it, then add it only to the portions you're eating so it doesn't turn to mush sitting in liquid.
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