Hearty Minestrone Soup
This is truly the best minestrone soup recipe. Much thicker than most minestrone soups out there– filled with colorful vegetables like celery, carrots, green beans and spinach combined with protein-rich beans. Pair with grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort dinner!
PREP TIME
10 minutes
COOK TIME
30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
18
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp3 Tbsp3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 0.666 cup0.666 cup0.666 cup Yellow Onion, diced
- 1 cup1 cup1 cup Carrots, diced
- 1 cup1 cup1 cup Celery, diced
- 1.25 cups1.25 cups1.25 cups Zucchini, diced
- 3 clove3 clove3 clove Garlic, minced
- 1.5 Tbsp1.5 Tbsp1.5 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1.5 tsp1.5 tsp1.5 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp1 tsp1 tsp Black Pepper
- 6 oz6 oz6 oz Tomato Paste
- 8 cups8 cups8 cups Chicken Broth (Low Sodium)
- 2 whole2 whole2 whole Bay Leaf
- 1 cup1 cup1 cup Green Beans, chopped
- 14 oz14 oz14 oz Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
- 14 oz14 oz14 oz Canned Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
- 14 oz14 oz14 oz Diced Tomatoes, do not drain
- 1 cup1 cup1 cup Orzo Pasta, any small type, uncooked
- 3.5 cups3.5 cups3.5 cups Baby Spinach, chopped
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Process
Note, these instructions are written assuming the standard serving size, since you have modified the number of servings, these steps may need to be modified for best results
- Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot or dutch oven (5-quart or larger.) Add the onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and release some juices. Add the tomato paste, stirring it in as best you can, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, beans, green beans, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then add uncooked pasta. Reduce to medium heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
- Serve warm and if desired, top with fresh parmesan cheese with homemade bread. Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: The soup can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also prep the vegetables ahead of time, even cooking them and then beginning at step 2 the day of.
- Freezer Instructions: This soup freezes wonderfully! I often make a double batch. Freeze the cooled soup for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stove, adding more broth as needed.
- Chicken Broth: You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth. For both, I recommend using low sodium and add additional salt as needed. You will need more broth when reheating the soup as the pasta soaks up a lot of liquid.
- Beans: I personally love this combination of beans, but you can use any type of beans like chickpeas, cannellini, or butter beans.
- Spinach: Feel free to use chopped fresh kale instead, or leave it out completely. If using frozen spinach, you may need to let it cook slightly longer at the end.
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My Notes:
About This Recipe
Show nutritional information
Coconut Free Dairy Free Egg Free Entrées Nut Free Other Shellfish Free Soups Sugar Free| This is our estimate based on online research. | |
| Calories: | 410 |
| Fat: | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates: | 72 g |
| Protein: | 30 g |
| Cholesterol: | 0 g |
| Sodium: | 513 mg |
| Fiber: | 20 g |
| Sugars: | 7 g |
| Calculated per serving. | |
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Now that is a cozy bowl of soup – perfect as the seasons change!