Description
Thick & Hearty Minestrone Soup is a comforting, nourishing one-pot meal packed with vibrant vegetables, creamy beans, and flavorful broth. Perfect for chilly days, it delivers a rich, satisfying flavor and a delightful texture that warms the soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Vegetables
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
Liquid
- 6 cups vegetable broth
Protein and Carbs
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup small pasta (such as ditalini)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook gently for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, forming a flavorful base for the soup.
- Build the Broth: Stir in diced zucchini and green beans, followed by canned tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and the base to thicken slightly with the vegetables.
- Add Beans and Pasta: Add the drained and rinsed beans along with small pasta like ditalini. Cook together for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender but still firm, creating a hearty soup.
- Season and Finish: Season with salt, pepper, and freshly chopped basil and parsley. Stir well, adjust seasoning to taste, and let the soup rest off the heat for a few minutes to deepen the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh, seasonal vegetables for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcook pasta; add it later in cooking or cook separately if preferred.
- Simmer gently to meld flavors without breaking down vegetables.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding more broth if too thick or simmering uncovered if too thin.
- Enhance flavor complexity by roasting some vegetables or adding a splash of balsamic vinegar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg