Description
Hearty Italian minestrone soup brims with seasonal vegetables, beans, and pasta in a rich tomato broth. Mediterranean flavors combine perfectly for a comforting meal you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (28 ounces/794 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups white or kidney beans, cooked
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 0.75 cup small pasta (elbows, shells, or orecchiette)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
Herbs, Seasonings, and Garnishes:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a substantial pot over medium heat, gently sautéing chopped onions, carrots, and celery with a sprinkle of salt and pepper until vegetables become tender and translucent, approximately 8 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, vegetable broth, bay leaves, dried oregano, and fresh thyme into the pot. Cover and allow the mixture to simmer, developing rich flavors for 20 minutes.
- Incorporate pasta directly into the simmering soup, leaving the pot uncovered and cooking for 10 minutes until the pasta reaches an al dente texture.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley, a dash of red pepper flakes, and optional grated parmesan cheese before serving hot.
Notes
- Customize Veggie Selection: Feel free to swap or add seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor variety.
- Protein Power-Up: Replace beans with cooked chicken, ground turkey, or tofu to suit different dietary preferences and boost protein content.
- Pasta Perfect: Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate specific dietary needs without compromising the soup’s hearty texture.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This soup tastes even better the next day, so prepare in advance and let flavors meld overnight for deeper, richer taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg