Hearty Italian Vegetable Minestrone (Printable)

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

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or chopped kale

→ Base & Liquids

09 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
10 - 6 cups vegetable broth
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Pasta & Beans

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

→ Herbs & Seasonings

14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1 bay leaf
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley plus more for garnish

# How-To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, zucchini, and green beans. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
04 - Add pasta and beans. Cook for 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
05 - Stir in spinach or kale and parsley. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until greens are wilted.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with extra parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It is packed with fiber and essential nutrients from fresh vegetables and beans.
  • The recipe is highly versatile and can be customized with your favorite seasonal produce.
  • One-pot cooking makes cleanup quick and easy for a stress-free meal.
02 -
  • Sautéing the aromatics (onion, celery, carrots) slowly at the start builds a deep flavor base for the soup.
  • Rinse the canned beans thoroughly before adding them to keep the broth clear and control sodium levels.
  • Always remove the bay leaf before serving to ensure a pleasant eating experience.
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