Classic Italian Minestrone Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty Italian soup with fresh vegetables, pasta, and beans in a rich tomato broth.

# The Ingredients You'll 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 oz) diced tomatoes
10 - 6 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Pasta & Beans

16 - 3/4 cup small pasta (ditalini, elbow, or small shells)
17 - 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
18 - 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Garnishes

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

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, zucchini, and green beans; cook for 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Stir in pasta and both types of beans. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
06 - Add spinach or kale and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted. Remove bay leaf.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan, parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Its a beautiful way to clean out your crisper drawer and use up whatever vegetables are looking sad
  • The soup actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or lazy lunches
02 -
  • The pasta will continue soaking up liquid as it sits, so your soup might thicken considerably in the fridge
  • Adding a splash of broth or water when reheating brings it back to that perfect consistency
03 -
  • Start with a cold splash of olive oil in each serving bowl before adding the soup
  • The vegetables should be roughly the same size so they cook evenly and look beautiful
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