Minestrone Soup

Easy and hearty minestrone soup recipe. This soup is full of fresh veggies and beans that are flavorful and healthy.  

This is a super easy and healthy soup to make. In the colder months I like to make a soup for the week and eat it for lunch, or to go along with dinner. That way I always have a healthy option to pick from.  

I make this with chicken broth because that is usually what I have in my pantry already. However, if you make this with vegetable broth, the soup becomes a vegetarian friendly meal!

This version of minestrone soup is loosely based on the Olive Garden minestrone soup, with some adaptations. I used the little seashell pasta in this version, but any kind of small pasta will do. 

I also tried to use as many fresh ingredients that I could for the best flavor. The onions, zucchini, celery, garlic, and carrots are all the fresh ingredients that I used. The beans and tomatoes were all canned. 

I chose to make this on the stovetop instead of the slow cooker because it comes together very quick. I was also looking to eat if for lunch that day and wanted it done! The whole thing takes about 30 minutes. To cut back on some of the time, boil the pasta to the side at the same time you are prepping and simmering the soup.

More Delicious Soups & Stews to try!

Mac and Cheese Soup: Homemade creamy mac and cheese soup. Bacon, garlic, and onions are cooked in for a savory comfort food dish.

Zuppa Toscana: A creamy soup with sausage, potatoes, and kale. A healthy and hearty soup for those cold weather days!

Pasta Fagioli: A hearty Pasta Fagioli soup that is loaded with beans, veggies, and ground turkey.  A perfect comfort soup for those chilly days! 

Black Bean Chili: A hearty homemade chili made with black beans and corn. Slowly simmered together for a smokey flavor.

Beef Stew: Deliciously slow cooked beef.made with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a savory stew sauce!

Butternut Squash Soup: Butternut squash soup full of fresh onions, potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, and celery. Added spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, makes this a perfect autumn soup!

Chicken Tortilla Soup: Chicken tortilla soup made with shredded chicken, loads of veggies, crispy tortilla strips and a savory broth. Made in the slow cooker for a deliciously easy weeknight meal. 

Ingredients for Minestrone Soup

Onion: White or yellow are good choices for this soup. Chopped up small and sauteed before adding it to the soup.

Zucchini: Chopped up and sauteed before adding it to the soup. No need to peel, just leave the skin on and chop up.

Celery: Chopped up small and sauteed before it goes in the soup.

Kidney Beans: Red or light red kidney beans can both be used. Drain from the can and rinse before adding them to the soup.

Northern White Beans: These or cannellini beans can be used. Drain from the can and rinse before adding to the soup.

Carrots: If using whole carrots, peel, chop off the ends, and chop up into small circles. Small shredded carrots can also be used and are a great option, since there is no prepping to them.

Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes in the can. Pour the tomatoes and juice into the soup. The juices help make the broth.

Pasta: Any kind of small pasta can be used. Little seashell pasta, ditalini pasta, or small elbow macaroni pasta are all good choices. Pre cook and drain the noodles before adding them to the soup.

Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is best for flavor.

Olive Oil: Used to saute the veggies before they go in the soup.

Chicken Broth: The base of the soup. Vegetable broth can also be used to make this vegetarian friendly.

Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, and Bay Leaf: All added for flavor in the soup.

How to make Minestrone Soup

Chop up the celery, onion, and zucchini.

In a dutch oven or other large stock pot, add a tablespoon of olive oil, over high heat. Add in the onion, zucchini, and celery, cook for 5 minutes or so.

Add in the 4 cups chicken broth and 2 cups water.

Drain and rinse the beans, add to the pot.

Add the diced tomatoes with the juice. Add in the carrots, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and bay leaves.

Give everything a nice stir to mix it in. Bring to boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.

Cook the pasta in a different pan, following the directions on the box. Drain and then add to the soup.

Remove the bay leaves when the soup is done simmering. Serve with fresh parmesan cheese on top and garlic bread!

Don’t forget Dessert!!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies: Soft and chewy pumpkin spice cookies. A perfect fall cookie that is topped with a delicious cream cheese icing! 

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Soft and chewy oatmeal peanut butter cookies made without flour.  Super quick and easy dessert the whole family will love!

Cream Puffs: Light and fluffy homemade cream puffs with a vanilla cream filling. Easy dessert to make that everyone will love. 

Apple Pie Bars: Homemade apple pie bars, all done in a sheet pan. Made with apples, cinnamon, and a flaky pie crust, this will feed the whole family!

Scotch A Roos: A Rice Krispie like treat but made with peanut butter and topped with a chocolate butterscotch mix. With only 6 ingredients these are super easy to make!

Chocolate Covered Pretzels: Chocolate covered pretzels can be decorated to match any holiday. With only 3 ingredients these are done in minutes!

Peach Cobbler: A peach cobbler recipe that is sweet and easy.  Comes together fast using fresh, canned, or frozen peaches.

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