
There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of Hearty Minestrone Soup to make you feel instantly cozy, satisfied, and nourished. Brimming with rainbow vegetables, tender pasta, and beans in a richly flavored broth, this classic Italian-inspired soup is pure comfort in a bowl—perfect for chilly nights, busy weeknights, or just when you crave something wholesome and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deep, Layered Flavor: Every spoonful delivers a medley of vegetables, herbs, and aromatic broth for a perfectly balanced taste.
- Wholesome & Satisfying: Packed with veggies, beans, and pasta, Hearty Minestrone Soup is a complete meal that leaves you full and happy.
- Ridiculously Adaptable: Swap out ingredients based on season or what’s in your fridge—this soup is endlessly customizable!
- Weeknight Friendly: It comes together quickly with everyday ingredients and minimal effort, making it ideal for busy schedules.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I adore about Hearty Minestrone Soup is how each humble ingredient works together to build classic Italian flavor. These basics are easy to find, yet each one plays a starring role in taste, texture, or color.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: The base of every great soup—adds depth and silkiness to your broth.
- Yellow onion: Brings a mellow sweetness after sauteing, forming the flavor backbone.
- Carrots: Add subtle sweetness and a pop of cheerful color in every bite.
- Celery ribs: Essential for a savory, aromatic undertone and a delicate crunch.
- Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper: Enhances every layer, tying the vegetables and broth together.
- Garlic cloves: Grated fresh for maximum punch—adds warmth and depth.
- Diced tomatoes (canned): Lends a tangy, rich tomato base and gorgeous ruby hue.
- Cooked white or kidney beans: Their creamy texture and earthiness make the soup ultra-satisfying.
- Green beans: For vibrant color, freshness, and a pleasant bite.
- Vegetable broth: Brings all the flavors together and keeps the soup light yet robust.
- Bay leaves: Add a subtle floral note that you’ll miss if you skip them.
- Dried oregano & thyme: The classic duo that delivers that unmistakable Italian herbal aroma.
- Small pasta (elbows, shells, orecchiette): Bites of tender, chewy comfort in every serving.
- Fresh parsley: A sprinkle livens up the soup and gives it that finishing touch.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional, for a gentle warmth and a little kick.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Optional, but a finishing dusting of this is a treat if you love savory richness.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make Hearty Minestrone Soup your own! The beauty of this recipe is that you can easily adapt it to suit your pantry, dietary needs, and taste preferences—there’s a version for everyone.
- Gluten-Free Minestrone: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta or skip the pasta entirely and add extra beans for a hearty twist.
- Seasonal Vegetable Swap: Toss in zucchini, spinach, kale, or sweet potatoes depending on what’s fresh or in season.
- Protein Boost: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken or sausage (if not vegetarian) for an even heartier meal.
- Spicy Kick: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for extra warmth.
How to Make Hearty Minestrone Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add your diced onions, chopped carrots, and sliced celery along with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Let them cook together for about 8 minutes—stir occasionally until the onions are soft and everything smells wonderful. This slow sautéing builds the foundational flavor for the whole soup.
Step 2: Build the Broth
Once the vegetables have softened, add the grated garlic and cook for a minute to release its aroma. Pour in the diced tomatoes (juice and all), followed by your beans, green beans, vegetable broth, bay leaves, oregano, and thyme. Stir everything together, cover the pot, and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes. All those herby, veggie flavors will mingle and deepen as the soup bubbles gently.
Step 3: Add Pasta & Finish Cooking
Now it’s time for the finishing touch—stir in your small pasta. Let the soup cook uncovered for about 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is perfectly al dente. Taste and adjust your seasoning if needed. You want every ingredient to shine and for the broth to taste layered and comforting.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
Ladle your piping-hot Hearty Minestrone Soup into bowls and shower with fresh parsley. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes and a generous grating of Parmesan if you like. This is when the magic really happens—dig in, and enjoy every soul-warming bite!
Pro Tips for Making Hearty Minestrone Soup
- Vegetable Texture Perfection: Dice your carrots and celery to a similar size so that every bite is beautifully balanced and textured—not too chunky, not too mushy.
- Broth Boost: For an even more deeply flavored broth, add a parmesan rind to simmer with the soup (remove before serving!). It infuses the soup with a wonderful savory note.
- Pasta Timing: Add the pasta just before serving, especially if you expect leftovers—this keeps the noodles from getting overly soft as they sit.
- Season to Your Taste: Don’t forget to taste and adjust at the end—a finish of salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon can bring everything alive.
How to Serve Hearty Minestrone Soup
Garnishes
Some finishing touches go a long way: a generous handful of fresh chopped parsley adds color and freshness, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes livens things up, and a shower of freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the hot soup for pure umami bliss. A swirl of good olive oil is never amiss either!
Side Dishes
Hearty Minestrone Soup makes a meal on its own, but it’s especially satisfying alongside a crusty hunk of sourdough, classic bruschetta, or a simple green salad tossed in bright vinaigrette. For a cozier spread, pair with garlic bread or focaccia for dunking.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun family dinner, set up a “minestrone bar” with bowls of toppings: grated cheese, chopped basil, chili oil, or toasted croutons. For gatherings, serve the soup in petite mugs or heatproof jars as an appetizer—colorful and irresistible! Try ladling it over cooked grains like farro for a rustic spin.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Hearty Minestrone Soup stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container—flavors continue to develop as it sits, so it may taste even better the next day.
Freezing
This soup freezes like a dream! Freeze in airtight containers (ideally without the pasta, which you can add fresh when reheating) for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator or gently in a saucepan over low heat.
Reheating
Reheat leftover minestrone gently in a pot on the stove over medium-low, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen. For individual portions, the microwave works just fine—heat until steaming hot and garnish freshly.
FAQs
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Can I make Hearty Minestrone Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, Hearty Minestrone Soup only gets better as the flavors meld in the fridge. Just store it without the pasta if possible, then add cooked pasta right before serving for the best texture.
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How can I make this soup gluten-free?
Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta or add extra beans or diced potatoes instead. Make sure your vegetable broth is also certified gluten-free if you have sensitivities.
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Can I add other vegetables to Hearty Minestrone Soup?
Absolutely! This recipe is endlessly flexible—zucchini, spinach, kale, potatoes, and even corn can be delicious additions depending on what you have on hand or what’s in season.
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What’s the best pasta to use for minestrone?
Small shapes like elbows, ditalini, tiny shells, or orecchiette are traditional and hold up well in soup. But truly, any short pasta you love (and have in your pantry!) will do wonderfully.
Final Thoughts
I hope you find this Hearty Minestrone Soup as soul-warming and satisfying as we do in my kitchen. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or cooking up a pot to share around the table, this recipe promises comfort, color, and flavor in every ladleful. Give it a try—you might just make it your new go-to cozy soup!
PrintHearty Minestrone Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and comforting Minestrone Soup recipe that is packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta in a flavorful broth. This classic Italian soup is a perfect one-pot meal for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup chopped green beans
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3/4 cup small pasta, elbows, shells, orecchiette
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional, for serving
Vegetable Mixture:
Soup Base:
Instructions
- Cook Vegetable Mixture: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 8 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Prepare Soup Base: Add garlic, tomatoes, beans, green beans, broth, bay leaves, oregano, and thyme. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the pasta and cook for an additional 10 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning and garnish with parsley, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan before serving.