Minestrone Vegetable Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty Italian soup with beans, pasta, vegetables and herbs in a rich broth for a comforting meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 such as ditalini or elbow macaroni

→ Broth & Seasonings

12 - 6 cups vegetable broth
13 - 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs including oregano, basil, and 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

# How to Prepare:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It transforms ordinary vegetables into something extraordinary that tastes like it simmered all day
  • You can swap in whatever vegetables are in your fridge or seasonal at the market
02 -
  • Pasta continues absorbing liquid even after the soup is done, so the soup will be thicker the next day
  • Adding a Parmesan rind during simmering creates an umami richness that homemade vegetable broth often lacks
03 -
  • Grate the Parmesan fresh from a block instead of using pre grated cheese for better melting and flavor
  • Make a double batch and freeze portions for those nights when cooking feels impossible
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