Minestrone Soup is an incredibly flavorful soup that is so hearty! Made with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta. Better than Olive Garden!
Minestrone Soup Recipe
I do not know about you, but I love a healthy, hearty soup during the colder months! This minestrone soup hits the spot and pairs wonderfully with a piece of toasty bread. It's also one of those soups that get even better the next day! If you have enough for leftovers, my tip to you is to store your pasta separately from the broth.
This minestrone soup recipe is loaded with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta in a light tomato broth. Love how it only requires a few basic pantry staples! It's a staple in my home when I need to use all of those delicious, fresh vegetables up. It's hearty enough for the main course or even as a starter soup. Truly a complete meal in a bowl.
HOW DO YOU MAKE MINESTRONE SOUP?
I start by seeing what types of vegetables I want to use. Once I figure that part out, I start to chop all of the vegetables and set them aside. Add olive oil to a large stockpot or dutch oven and saute the onions until translucent and then add in the garlic. Add carrots, beans, diced tomatoes with the juice, seasonings, and spices. Then adding in the green beans, spinach, zucchini, and pasta in and cook until the pasta is tender.
WHAT VEGETABLES GO IN A MINESTRONE SOUP?
With this type of soup and how versatile it is, I would say this recipe is more of a blueprint instead of a set of rules. It's a great soup to make with whatever you have on hand. Below are additional vegetables you may use:
- cauliflower florets
- leeks
- parsnip
- radish
- sweet potato
- asparagus
- broccoli
- cabbage
- kale
- corn
- peas
- potatoes
See how versatile it is!
IS THIS SIMILAR TO OLIVE GARDEN MINESTRONE SOUP?
This minestrone soup recipe takes just like Olive Garden's, but even better! I love being able to add any vegetables to my liking with different quantities, and homemade is always better!
Other soup recipes you will love:
- Slow Cooker Low Carb Zuppa Toscana Soup
- One-Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
- One-Pot Tomato and Basil Tortellini Soup
Minestrone Soup is an incredibly flavorful soup that is so hearty! Made with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta. Better than Olive Garden!
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup carrots, peeled, quartered and diced
- ½ cup celery, diced
- 15 ounce can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup green beans, frozen or fresh
- 1 zucchini, halved and diced
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup ditalini pasta
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Add olive oil in a stockpot or dutch oven and heat over medium heat. Add in onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and saute until onions are translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
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Add in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, seasoning, bay leaf, and vegetable stock. Add in salt and pepper, to taste.
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Bring to a simmer and simmer for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
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Add in the green beans, zucchini, spinach, and pasta and stir to combine. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.
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Taste and adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.
If you are going to have leftovers I highly recommend to cook the pasta in a separate stockpot and keep separate. When the pasta is left in the liquid it will start to absorb the liquid.
Nutrition estimated is based upon the brands I used. Yours may vary depending on brands.
Sarah says
Followed this recipe to the letter. It's so delish, and pretty too!
Chelsea says
So glad you enjoyed it, Sarah! We love it!
Lianessa Jaffe says
Very delicious, did add additional veggies as well as some tomato sauce to the broth. I serves it with grated parm cheese, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil.
Bev says
Thanks for the recipe, it was delicious!
Donna Suerth says
This soup is fantastic! Super easy and very flavorful! This is a keeper!!!
Tammy says
So pretty! Great for “Knock off Olive Garden night” with French bread, salad and wine.