Minestrone Vegetable Soup (Print Version)

A comforting Italian classic loaded with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta in aromatic herb broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
08 - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
10 - 4 cups vegetable broth
11 - 2 cups water

→ Beans & Pasta

12 - 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
13 - 3/4 cup small pasta such as ditalini or elbow macaroni

→ Seasonings & Herbs

14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
18 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, optional
20 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Add carrots, celery, zucchini, potato, and green beans. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until slightly softened.
03 - Stir in diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, and water. Add dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
05 - Add cannellini beans and pasta. Continue to simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, or until pasta and vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in fresh parsley and basil. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in just an hour and actually tastes even better the next day when all those flavors get cozy with each other.
  • You can raid your vegetable drawer guilt-free because minestrone celebrates whatever you have, not what a recipe demands.
  • One pot means one dish to wash, and somehow the soup always feels more nourishing than the simple ingredients suggest.
02 -
  • Add your pasta to the already-simmering soup rather than cooking it separately, because it releases starch into the broth and makes the soup slightly thicker and more luxurious.
  • Fresh herbs at the end are non-negotiable—they lift the entire soup from tasting like it came from a can to tasting like someone actually cared while making it.
03 -
  • Make a double batch because minestrone actually improves overnight as the flavors meld and deepen, and having it in your freezer feels like a gift to your future self.
  • Finish each bowl with a drizzle of really good olive oil and fresh Parmesan because those final touches are what transform a bowl of soup into something you'll crave.
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