Description
Minestrone Soup is a hearty and nutritious vegetarian soup packed with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta. This wholesome Italian-inspired dish is perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week, offering a flavorful and healthy plant-based option that’s easy to prepare and satisfying for the entire family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or shells)
- Fresh Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Start by chopping all the vegetables. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery, and chop the zucchini and green beans.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add carrots and celery to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes until slightly tender. Then, stir in zucchini and green beans and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and add the cannellini beans. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable broth. Add dried oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- In a separate pot, cook the pasta until al dente as per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Add cooked pasta to the soup during the last 5 minutes of simmering. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to add seasonal vegetables like spinach, kale, or bell peppers for variety.
- For a protein boost, include cooked chickpeas or lentils.
- You can substitute regular pasta with gluten-free options for a gluten-free version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg