Name: Italian Minestrone Vegetable Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 2 medium carrots, chopped; 2 celery ribs, thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste; Freshly ground black pepper; 3 garlic cloves, grated; 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1½ cups cooked white beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup chopped green beans; 4 cups vegetable broth; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ¾ cup small pasta (elbows, shells, or orecchiette); ½ cup chopped fresh parsley; Red pepper flakes; Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Description

This hearty Italian minestrone soup combines fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta in a rich tomato broth. Ready in 45 minutes, it’s a budget-friendly comfort food perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, grated
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1½ cups cooked white beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped green beans
4 cups vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
¾ cup small pasta (elbows, shells, or orecchiette)
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Red pepper flakes
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Add the garlic, tomatoes, beans, green beans, broth, bay leaves, oregano, and thyme. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in the pasta and cook, uncovered, for 10 more minutes until the pasta is cooked through.
Season to taste and serve with parsley, red pepper flakes, and parmesan if desired.

Notes

Cut all vegetables into similar sizes for even cooking – aim for bite-sized pieces about ½ inch
Don’t skip the sautéing step – it develops deeper flavors
Use small pasta shapes that fit on a spoon
Save Parmesan rinds and add them while simmering for extra umami flavor
Make it heartier by adding zucchini, spinach, or cabbage in the last 10 minutes

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 2 cups)
Calories: 285
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: minestrone soup recipe, vegetable soup Italian style, hearty bean soup, traditional minestrone, Italian comfort food, vegetarian soup recipe, healthy vegetable soup, easy minestrone recipe