Minestrone Vegetable Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty Italian soup with beans, pasta, and fresh vegetables for a comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
08 - 1 cup green beans, chopped
09 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes

→ Legumes & Pasta

10 - 1 can (14 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow macaroni)

→ Broth & Seasonings

12 - 6 cups vegetable broth
13 - 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

16 - 2 cups baby spinach or chopped kale
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced zucchini, diced potato, and chopped green beans. Cook for 3 additional minutes.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, dried Italian herbs, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
05 - Stir in the small pasta and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until pasta and vegetables reach tender consistency.
06 - Remove bay leaf from the pot. Add spinach or kale and cook for 2 minutes until wilted and incorporated.
07 - Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each portion with fresh chopped parsley and optional freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It acts as a literal warm hug on days when everything feels a bit too much.
  • You can clear out your entire vegetable drawer and still end up with something gourmet.
02 -
  • Adding a Parmesan rind to the broth adds an incredible umami depth that you cannot get otherwise.
  • Cooking the pasta directly in the soup makes the liquid slightly thicker and much silkier.
03 -
  • Saute your tomato paste for a minute before adding broth to deepen the overall color.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens the heavy cooked flavors.
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