Hearty Minestrone Vegetable Soup (Printable version)

Hearty Italian soup with beans, pasta, and seasonal vegetables in a savory herb broth

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, zucchini, potato, and green beans. Cook for 3 minutes.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, dried herbs, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
05 - Stir in pasta and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until pasta and vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Add spinach or kale and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its a complete meal in a bowl that somehow tastes even better the next day
  • The combination of beans and pasta keeps you satisfied for hours without feeling heavy
02 -
  • The pasta will continue absorbing liquid as it sits, so the soup thickens considerably in the refrigerator
  • Adding a Parmesan rind during simmering creates an incredible depth of flavor that people cant quite identify
03 -
  • Cut all vegetables into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly and look beautiful in the bowl
  • Taste and adjust seasoning after the pasta is fully cooked since the starch can mellow the flavors
Return