Hearty Italian Minestrone Soup (Printable)

Classic Italian soup with seasonal vegetables, pasta, and beans in a flavorful tomato broth. Vegetarian-friendly.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup green beans, chopped
08 - 2 cups chopped spinach or kale

→ Base & Seasonings

09 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
10 - 6 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Pasta & Beans

16 - 0.75 cup small pasta such as ditalini, elbow, or small shells
17 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
18 - 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Garnishes

19 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional
20 - Chopped fresh parsley optional
21 - Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced zucchini, and chopped green beans; cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 15 minutes.
05 - Stir in pasta and both types of drained beans. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until pasta reaches al dente texture.
06 - Add spinach or kale and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted. Remove and discard bay leaf.
07 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into serving bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes even better the next day when all the flavors have gotten cozy with each other.
  • You can use whatever vegetables are on sale or hiding in your fridge, making it budget-friendly and waste-free.
  • One pot, minimal cleanup, and you'll have enough to feed a crowd or eat all week.
02 -
  • Don't add pasta too early or it'll keep absorbing liquid and get mushy—timing is everything, and adding it near the end keeps it exactly right.
  • Rinsing your canned beans makes a visible difference in the clarity of your broth, which somehow makes the whole soup feel more refined.
03 -
  • Don't rush the initial softening of your aromatics—those 5 to 6 minutes are where the real flavor foundation gets built, and skipping them shows.
  • Taste the soup before serving and adjust seasoning boldly; minestrone can handle salt and pepper, and it should taste like something you actually want to eat.
Go Back