This classic minestrone soup is filled with an assortment of vegetables, beans and pasta, all simmered together in a hearty tomato broth. An easy vegetarian meal that’s perfect for a cold day!
At my house, soup is often on the dinner menu. My family always requests cheeseburger soup, chicken noodle soup and this delightful minestrone soup.
When I’m stuck on what to make for dinner I often turn to soup. I always keep containers of chicken broth, pasta and canned beans in the pantry; when you combine those ingredients along with whatever vegetables you’ve got in the fridge you end up with a healthy and easy dinner. Minestrone soup is a classic for a reason – it’s quick to make and totally delicious!
How do you make minestrone soup?
This recipe starts with a base of carrots, onion, celery and garlic, which are all sauteed together until softened. Potatoes, two types of beans and tomatoes go into the mix, along with vegetable broth and small shell pasta. The ingredients all simmer together until the potatoes are tender. Add a sprinkling of parsley, then serve and enjoy.
Tips for minestrone soup
- You can use fresh or frozen green beans, whatever you prefer. I tend to use frozen because they’re more convenient.
- Try to cut all the vegetables the same size so that they cook at the same rate.
- This soup freezes well, although the pasta and potatoes may be a little softer upon thawing and reheating.
- Be sure to drain and rinse your beans before adding them to the soup, you want to get rid of all that extra sodium!
- This soup is hearty enough to serve as a main course, but if you’d like an extra dose of protein, try adding some cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, or shredded chicken.
WHAT VEGETABLES GO INTO MINESTRONE SOUP?
This soup contains onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, green beans, potatoe and spinach. You can absolutely change up the veggies depending on what’s in season and what you have on hand. Other great vegetable choices include
- Zucchini
- Butternut squash
- Mushrooms
- Sweet potatoes
- Leeks
- Kale
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
This soup can easily be made in the slow cooker. Simply follow the directions as listed for cooking the vegetables and adding the beans and broth. Omit the pasta. Transfer all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Stir in the pasta and spinach during the last 30 minutes of the cooking time, then sprinkle with parsley and serve.
This soup is sure to please any crowd, and it has the perfect combination of flavors, textures and colors. It’s the absolute best way to eat your veggies!
More soup recipes you’ll love
- Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Hamburger Soup
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Ham Bone Soup
- Chicken Tortellini Soup
Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup onion diced
- 1/2 cup celery sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots peeled, quartered and sliced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 15 ounce can small white beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup Russet potatoes peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup frozen cut green beans
- 1/2 cup small shell pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots to the pot.
- Cook until the vegetables are tender, 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste and Italian seasoning to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the white beans, kidney beans, potatoes, green beans and pasta to the pot. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until pasta and potatoes are tender.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the spinach leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes or until wilted.
- Sprinkle the parsley over the soup and serve.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on October 9, 2015 and was updated on August 22, 2019 with new content.
Tracy says
I served it with grated fresh parmesan cheese and it was delicious!
Gwen says
I make this all the time now as my family loves this soup!
samantha says
i love this recipe!! i’ve been making it almost every other day! my family loves it!!
Lexi says
How many cups of this soup is one serving?
Sara says
1 1/2 cups!
Kyle says
Just made this soup tonight and have to say it is amazingly easy, and super healthy. Added some zucchini to it and half the pasta *cause it’s usually pretty thirsty*
Def making again. I also, doubled the recipe.
Jessica says
I can’t Get enough of this soup! I double the recipe and have made it almost every week since I found it. Thanks so much!
Deb says
I make double recipes of this all fall and winter! Served with grated Parmesan , we love it!
Vanessa says
Delicious and super easy to make!!
Sara says
So glad to hear it was a hit, I appreciate you coming back to comment!
Evie says
This soup is great. I threw a few garbanzo beans in as well. It came out great and was easy too.
Alisa says
Has. Anyone tried adding some type of meat this? 😀
Sara says
Italian sausage would be a great addition!
Tracey says
This was amazing!!
and so easy
Sara says
Thanks Tracey, glad you hear you liked it!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
I’ve never had a soup quite like this, but it is SO right up my alley. Tortellini is always a win, but all the fresh veggies is a home run 😀
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
Great spin on a classic recipe!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
This looks AMAZING!!! I love that the tortellini would make this soup more of a main dish 🙂
Ian says
What type of Tortellini please.
Julia says
This looks like a great, healthy minestrone soup. The tortellini is a great addition!
Ali @ Home & Plate says
I love the addition of tortellini to this soup. I usually just keep it veggies and beans but I might have to steal your secret next time I make a pot of my own. Beautiful pics Sara!
Christie says
We have been eating a ton of soup lately. I love all the veggies and beans in this one. My daughter would love the tortellini.
Marye says
Minestone is one of my favorite soups! This looks gorgeous and so delicious!