Hearty Italian Vegetable Minestrone (Printable Version)

Classic Italian soup brimming with vegetables, beans, and pasta in a flavorful 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
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

# Cooking Steps:

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 another 3 minutes.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, dried Italian herbs, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
05 - Stir in pasta. 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 -
  • It is a brilliant way to use up those lonely vegetables hiding in the back of your cupboard.
  • The broth gets richer the longer it sits, making it the ultimate lunch for the next day.
02 -
  • Adding a leftover Parmesan rind to the broth while it simmers adds an incredible umami depth.
  • Pasta continues to soak up liquid even after the heat is off so you might need extra broth later.
03 -
  • Always rinse your canned beans thoroughly to remove the metallic taste from the canning liquid.
  • A tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens the entire pot instantly.
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