Rustic Vegetable Minestrone

Indulge in the comforting embrace of a classic Italian staple with this truly delicious and hearty Vegetable Minestrone Soup. Bursting with an abundance of fresh vegetables, wholesome beans, tender pasta, and simmered to perfection in a rich, lip-smacking tomato broth, this homemade minestrone offers an unparalleled taste of tradition and warmth. It’s more than just a soup; it’s a robust, satisfying meal that promises to please every palate, making it a perfect addition to your culinary repertoire.

Our Vegetable Minestrone Soup stands out as a fulfilling, one-pot marvel, making it the ultimate comfort food for those crisp autumn evenings and chilly winter months. This Italian classic is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with an incredible array of garden-fresh vegetables. Imagine serving a steaming bowl alongside some crusty artisanal bread, perhaps topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, for a meal that is both incredibly filling and bursting with flavor. It’s an inviting dish that brings families together, offering warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful.

Looking to explore more delightful soup creations? Expand your culinary horizons with other comforting recipes like our Lebanese Lentil Soup, a creamy and flavorful option, or perhaps the indulgent Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup. For a lighter, zestier choice, don’t miss our vibrant Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Vegetable Minestrone Soup

This Vegetable Minestrone Soup isn’t just another recipe; it’s an experience waiting to happen. Here’s why it will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen:

• Incredibly Filling and Satisfying: Designed to quell even the most robust appetites, this soup is a powerhouse of wholesome ingredients. Tender pasta, protein-rich beans, and a medley of hearty vegetables all come together in perfect harmony, ensuring every bowl is packed with substance and flavor. It’s a complete meal that leaves you feeling comfortably full without being heavy.
• A Rich and Flavorful Tomato Broth: The soul of any great minestrone lies in its broth, and ours is truly exceptional. All the wonderful ingredients swim in a deeply flavorful tomato-based broth, meticulously seasoned to perfection. Each spoonful delivers a rich, savory taste that is both vibrant and comforting, making this soup utterly irresistible.
• Effortless One-Pot Meal: Say goodbye to piles of dishes! This minestrone is a true one-pot wonder, designed for ease and convenience. It comes together with minimal fuss, making it ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend cooking. Despite its simplicity, it yields a generous quantity, easily feeding a hungry crowd or providing delicious leftovers for days.
• Packed with Nutrients: Beyond its incredible taste, this soup is a nutritional champion. Loaded with a wide variety of vegetables, it’s an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The beans add plant-based protein, making it a wholesome choice for a balanced diet.
• Versatile and Adaptable: One of the best qualities of minestrone is its flexibility. This recipe serves as a fantastic base that you can easily adapt to your preferences. Swap vegetables based on seasonality, adjust seasonings, or add different types of pasta or beans to make it uniquely yours.

Essential Ingredients for Your Minestrone Masterpiece

Crafting the perfect Vegetable Minestrone Soup starts with selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting Italian classic:

• Vegetable Stock: The foundation of our flavorful broth. Opt for a good quality low-sodium vegetable stock to control the saltiness.
• Fresh Vegetables: A vibrant blend of zucchini, onion, celery, and carrots provides depth and nutrition. Diced tomatoes form the hearty base of the broth. Feel free to incorporate other seasonal vegetables you enjoy!
• Hearty Beans: A combination of red kidney beans and white beans (such as cannellini or great northern) adds a significant source of plant-based protein and fiber, making the soup extra filling.
• Tomato Paste: This concentrated ingredient deepens the tomato flavor, adding richness and umami to the broth.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary provides the quintessential Italian aroma and taste.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste, enhancing all the other flavors.
• Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced garlic is crucial for building a robust flavor base.
• Fresh Italian Parsley: A bright, herbaceous finish that adds freshness and a pop of color.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the aromatics and vegetables, contributing to a rich, authentic flavor.
• Pasta: Small pasta shapes like ditalini, small elbow macaroni, or mini shells are ideal, allowing for a delightful mix in every spoonful.

Crafting Your Homemade Vegetable Minestrone Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this hearty minestrone is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these simple steps to bring this comforting soup to life:

1. Prepare Your Aromatics and Vegetables: Begin by heating two tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and fragrant, typically 3-5 minutes. This creates a wonderful aromatic base for your soup.

2. Sauté the Vegetables: Once the onion is ready, add the diced zucchini, celery, and carrots to the pot. Sauté these vegetables for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften slightly but still retain a bit of their crunch. Incorporate the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Add the tomato paste and continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. This step allows the tomato paste to caramelize slightly, intensifying its flavor and adding depth to your broth.

4. Simmer the Broth: Pour in the vegetable stock and add the can of petite diced tomatoes (undrained, including their juices). Stir everything together well. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for at least 30 minutes. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld beautifully and the vegetables to become perfectly tender.
5. Add Pasta and Beans: After 30 minutes, stir in the drained and rinsed red kidney beans and cannellini white beans. Add the uncooked pasta of your choice. Increase the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or according to your pasta package instructions, until the pasta is al dente.
6. Finish and Serve: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the freshly chopped Italian parsley. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary, adding more salt or pepper to your preference. Allow the soup to cool for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle. Ladle generous portions into bowls and enjoy this magnificent homemade minestrone!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips for the Best Minestrone

To ensure your Vegetable Minestrone Soup turns out perfect every time, consider these helpful tips and tricks:

• Perfectly Cooked Pasta: If you prefer your pasta to be more al dente, or if you plan to freeze the soup, consider cooking the pasta separately. Boil it in a different pot until just shy of al dente, then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Add it to individual bowls of soup just before serving, or stir it into the main pot right at the very end of cooking if you’re serving immediately. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy and absorbing too much broth, especially in leftovers.
• Pasta Size Matters: For an optimal eating experience, use small pasta shapes like ditalini, small elbow macaroni, or even tiny shells. The goal is to match the size of your diced vegetables, ensuring that you get a delightful bit of everything – pasta, beans, and veggies – in every single spoonful.
• Gluten-Free Option: Easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by swapping traditional pasta for your favorite gluten-free noodles. Add them at the same stage as regular pasta, adjusting cooking time according to package directions, or cook them separately as suggested above.
• Elevate with Toppings: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over each serving is highly recommended for an authentic Italian touch. For a dairy-free alternative, a dollop of vegan pesto or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast can add a lovely savory note.
• Serve with Sides: Don’t forget a side of warm, crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping into the rich broth. A simple side salad dressed with vinaigrette can also complement the meal beautifully.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving. Seasoning is key! You might find it needs a little more salt, pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or even a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
• Use Quality Ingredients: The better your vegetable stock and fresh vegetables, the more flavorful your soup will be. Choose firm, vibrant vegetables and a robust vegetable stock.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegetable Minestrone Soup

Here are answers to some common questions about making and storing your minestrone:

How long does this soup last?

Properly stored, Vegetable Minestrone Soup can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors often deepen and improve overnight, making leftovers a real treat!

Can you freeze this Vegetable Minestrone Soup?

Yes, minestrone soup freezes beautifully! However, for best results, I highly recommend freezing the soup *without* the pasta. Pasta tends to become mushy and lose its texture after being frozen and reheated. To freeze, allow the soup (without pasta) to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container, leaving some headspace for expansion, and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Cook fresh pasta separately and add it to the warm soup just before serving.

Creative Variations to Customize Your Soup

This Vegetable Minestrone Soup is wonderfully adaptable! Here are some ideas to make it your own:

• Lower Carb Option: Easily omit the pasta entirely for a delicious, lower-carb, and gluten-free soup that focuses purely on the vegetables and beans.
• Add Protein: For a heartier, protein-packed meal, consider adding cooked turkey meatballs, shredded chicken, or even some Italian sausage during the simmering stage. Lentils or chickpeas can also boost protein and fiber.
• Seasonal Vegetable Swaps: Minestrone is a celebration of seasonal produce! In the spring, add fresh peas or asparagus. For autumn, root vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes can add more heft. Brighten things up with leafy greens like spinach or kale, stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking until wilted.
• Dairy-Free: Keep the soup completely dairy-free by simply omitting the Parmesan cheese topping. You won’t miss it with all the other rich flavors!
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning for a subtle kick, or more for a bolder, spicier minestrone.
• Fresh Herbs: Beyond parsley, experiment with other fresh herbs like basil or oregano, added at the end for maximum flavor.

Explore More Hearty Main Dishes

If you loved this comforting soup, you might also enjoy these other satisfying main course recipes:

• The Best Beef Stew
• Thai Red Curry Chicken
• Spicy Sriracha Chicken

We truly hope you enjoy all the delicious recipes shared here, especially this wholesome and delightful Vegetable Minestrone Soup. We encourage you to give it a try, savor every spoonful, and share your experience with friends and family! Your feedback means the world to us.

If you prepare this recipe and love it, please share your culinary creations with us on INSTAGRAM using our hashtag for a chance to be featured in our story! And for all the latest social posts, exciting new recipes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, be sure to follow Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST.

Vegetable Minestrone Soup

By: Mariam Ezzeddine

You will love this delicious and hearty Vegetable Minestrone Soup! Packed with veggies, beans, pasta in a delicious tomato broth.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 1 large zucchini, diced
• 1 medium onion, petite diced
• 2 large celery stalks, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz.
• 1 can red kidney beans, 14 oz.
• 1 can cannellini white beans, 14 oz.
• ¾ cup baby elbow pasta (or any small pasta kind)
• 1 tsp salt (more or less to taste)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2-3 whole garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsps olive oil

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion until translucent in color (about 3-5 minutes), then add the chopped zucchini, celery, and carrots. Sauté for a few minutes more until slightly softened (5-7 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the black pepper, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, and salt. Mix well and sauté for 3-4 minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly to allow the tomato paste to caramelize.
4. Add the vegetable stock and diced tomatoes. Mix well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let the soup cook for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Stir in the drained and rinsed beans and the uncooked pasta. Mix gently, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
6. Remove from heat, stir in the chopped fresh Italian parsley. Let the soup cool for about 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

Notes

• For more al dente pasta, cook it separately and add it to the soup right at the end or to individual bowls.
• Use small pasta that matches the size of your diced vegetables for a balanced spoonful.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free noodles.
• Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 709mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2648IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 3mg