Description
Best Minestrone Soup is a hearty Italian-inspired vegetable soup loaded with beans, pasta, and fresh vegetables in a rich tomato broth. This comforting and healthy soup is perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, and family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup small pasta (ditalini, elbow macaroni, or shells)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups spinach or kale
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic, zucchini, and green beans. Cook for 2–3 more minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add kidney beans, cannellini beans, and pasta. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
- Stir in spinach or kale and cook until wilted.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Serve hot with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For best texture, cook pasta separately if planning to store leftovers. Add extra broth when reheating since the pasta will absorb liquid over time. This soup is easy to customize with seasonal vegetables or added protein.
