Hearty Italian Minestrone Soup (Printable Version)

Italian vegetable soup with beans, pasta, and fresh herbs. Comforting, nutritious, and ready in 1 hour.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced zucchini, diced potato, and chopped green beans. Cook for 3 minutes.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, dried Italian herbs, and bay leaf. Bring mixture to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 20 minutes to develop flavors and soften vegetables.
05 - Stir in pasta and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until pasta and vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf from soup. Add spinach or kale and cook for 2 minutes until greens are wilted.
07 - Taste soup and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Packed with healthy vegetables and protein-rich cannellini beans.
  • Easy to prepare in just one hour for a wholesome meal.
  • A versatile dish that yields six satisfying servings.
02 -
  • Dice vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure they all cook at the same rate.
  • Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens like wheat or dairy.
  • The soup flavors often deepen and improve if left to sit for a while before serving.
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