Italian

Minestrone

Minestrone is a hearty Italian soup packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, making it a perfect dish for any time of year. This recipe is easy to follow and allows you to customize with your favorite seasonal vegetables.

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Prep

15 minutes

Cook

30 minutes

Level

Easy

Serves

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Illustrated cooking guide

Step-by-step visual method

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Minestrone illustrated step-by-step cooking guide

Instructions

1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Add the diced carrots and celery; cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften.
5
Incorporate the zucchini and green beans, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
6
Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the vegetable broth; stir to combine.
7
Add the rinsed cannellini beans, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
8
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
9
Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
10
Lastly, stir in the fresh spinach and cook until just wilted, about 2 minutes.
11
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Tips

For a richer flavor, let the soup simmer longer, up to an hour if you have time.

Feel free to swap out vegetables based on what you have on hand or what’s in season.

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Helpful notes

Practical storage, serving, swap, and troubleshooting notes for a better first try.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed.

Substitutions

Olive oil can be replaced with avocado oil or butter.
Cannellini beans can be substituted with kidney beans or chickpeas.

What to Serve With

A slice of crusty bread
A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if not vegan

Common Mistakes

Using too much salt right away; always taste before adding more.
Not cutting vegetables uniformly; this can affect even cooking.

Recipe FAQ

Can I freeze minestrone?

Yes, minestrone freezes well! Let it cool completely, then store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

What can I substitute for pasta?

You can use quinoa, rice, or omit it entirely for a low-carb version.

Is minestrone vegan?

Yes, as long as you use vegetable broth and avoid any dairy toppings.

Kitchen tools

Helpful Tools for This Recipe

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Blender

Helpful for smooth sauces, soups, marinades, and purees.

Saucepan

Useful for simmering sauces, soups, grains, and small-batch stews.

Chef knife

A basic prep tool for vegetables, herbs, aromatics, and proteins.

Cutting board

Keeps prep organized for chopping, slicing, and staging ingredients.

Measuring spoons

Useful for balancing spices, salt, acids, and sauces.

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