How To Make Minestrone Soup

Italian Secrets To Making The Best Minestrone Soup

• Always start making minestrone with Onion, Carrot and Celery mix known as Soffritto or a Holy Trinity of Italian Cuisine. Most soups and ragu sauces start with this veggie trio. All other flavors build up on this.
• Even though you can use just any leftover veggies you have in the fridge, true secret to delicious Grandma minestrone soup lies in fresh veggies from Sunday farmers market.
• If youre not planning to consume all the soup in one go, cook pasta in a separate pot instead of cooking it directly in the soup pot. Add it to your minestrone before serving.Otherwise pasta will become overcooked and make minestrone too mushy.Same applies for rice and other grains like farro, barley etc.
• Once all the hard veggies and water or broth are in the pot, add a piece of Parmesan cheese rind. Yes, just the rind. Its a game changer. And most well kept secret . Seriously though, it burst the flavor of veggies and broth 10x.Simmer the veggies with Parmesan rind and finish cooking Minestrone as normally. Take out the rind before serving.

How Long Will Minestrone Soup Last In The Fridge

Watch How To Make Minestrone Soup

• Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield:6 bowls 1x

4.9 from 752 reviews

Warm up with this vegetarian minestrone soup! This classic minestrone soup recipe is healthy, easy to make, and tastes incredible. Its vegan, too, if you dont top it with cheese. Recipe yields 6 bowls or 8 cups of soup.

• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium ribs celery, chopped
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 cups chopped seasonal vegetables
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 large can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 bay leaves
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup whole grain orecchiette, elbow or small shell pasta
• 1 can Great Northern beans or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked beans
• 2 cups baby spinach, chopped kale or chopped collard greens
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishing

Read Also: Campbell Soup Chicken And Rice Casserole

How Do You Make Minestrone Soup From Scratch

Thick And Hearty Minestrone Soup

This hearty minestrone soup is thicker than most minestrone soup recipes. Its filled with delicious colorful vegetables, plenty of spices, and has a unique rich texture. Youll make this minestrone soup recipe again and again!

Im not really sure if I should call this minestrone soup, but Im rolling with it. I made it the other week and we both loved it more than I anticipated. I mean, its vegetable soup. Its not flashy in the slightest. Still, Im singing its praises because its not only healthy, warm, and wholesome, its savory flavors and thickness keeps me full and satisfied. And I made it again since then! Weve absolutely loved this minestrone soup recipe on cold winter days, especially served in giant homemade bread bowls. Figured youd appreciate this recipe too!

Read Also: Olive Garden Unlimited Soup And Salad

Ingredients To Make Gluten

We love this soup because it is filled to the brim with healthy, body-nourishing ingredients. Heres what you need to make a comforting pot today:

• Carrots can use chopped parsnips or turnips instead
• Celery can sub sliced leeks or fennel, if desired
• Mushrooms use your favorite variety, such as cremini, portobello, button, shiitake these add a nice meaty texture to the soup
• Onion use a yellow or white onion
• Zucchini can sub yellow squash
• Kidney beans kidney beans are classic in minestrone soup, but you can swap in another bean variety, such as chickpeas or white beans, if desired fully drain and rinse the beans before adding to the minestrone soup
• Crushed tomatoes youll need a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes we like Muir Glen
• Garlic use minced fresh garlic or sub 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• Water or Broth to keep this soup vegetarian, use vegetable or mushroom broth can use chicken broth if vegan is not necessary
• Italian seasoning if you dont have Italian seasoning, you can instead use a mix of 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Pasta use your favorite regular, gluten-free, or grain-free pasta, depending on your needs for gluten-free and grain-free, we like Jovial or Banza
• Oil use avocado oil or olive oil
• Parsley fresh parsley adds a flavorful finish to each bowl
• Parmesan cheese another flavorful and classic garnish for minestrone soup omit if vegan or dairy-free
• Salt and Black pepper

Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

This Olive Garden-inspired Minestrone Soup recipe is wonderfully simple and doesnt deviate too far from the classic dish you know and love. Ours has the same iconic small ditalini pasta, fresh veggies like zucchini and spinach, and a savory tomato broth.

But we also include tomato paste in addition to canned diced tomatoes to really bring that deliciously bright tomato flavor to this vegan soup. Plus, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick of delightful heat!

From prep to serving you only need about 40 minutes, and everything is cooked together in one pot. So its terrific to make it as a quick yet comforting dinner even on a busy weeknight. Get ready to fall innamorato with the easiest, tastiest, and most authentic copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup recipe!

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Breads To Serve With Minestrone Soup

• Heat oil over high heat in a very large pot.
• Add bacon, cook until starting to turn golden then add garlic and onion.
• Cook until onion is translucent and bacon is light golden ~ 2minutes.
• Add carrot, celery and zucchini. Stir for 1 minute to coat in flavour.
• Add crushed tomato, chicken stock, water, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, kidney beans, salt and pepper.
• Stir, bring to simmer, then place lid on and adjust heat so it’s simmering gently.
• Simmer 20 minutes, then add potato and beans.
• Simmer 5 minutes, then add pasta. Cook for time per pasta packet MINUS 1 1/2 minutes.
• Remove from stove, stir through parmesan and baby spinach. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
• Serve, garnished with extra parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley if desired. Warm crusty bread on the side would certainly be the cherry on top!

Is Minestrone A Soup

We can define it as a vegetable soup, but in reality its far more than that because minestrone is versatile and can become whatever you want it to be. Some people love it natural, with just a drizzle of oil and no legumes, some add grains, some add flavor with aromatic herbs and spices, some add pasta, some eat it cold and some eat it hot with a slice of toasted bread at the bottom of the dish. Basically, a well-made minestrone always allows for variety. Its the ideal dish after a few days of culinary indulgence, to make you feel a little healthier. And its also a comfort food when you want a hot light meal at the end of the day.

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How To Make Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

Tips For Adding Pasta To Minestrone Soup

Here at The Real Food Dietitians, we have all had our fair share of minestrone soup. You could say were connoisseurs of this nutritious stew, and theres nothing we dislike more than soggy noodles in our minestrone. Thats why weve developed a fool-proof method to help you make the best pot of minestrone soup youve ever served.

The key is to cook the pasta separately from the pot of soup. If you add the noodles, especially gluten-free noodles, directly to the pot, you run the risk of having pasta that falls apart and doesnt maintain its integrity. While the veggies and beans are simmering, cook the pasta just until al dente in a separate pot of water. Sure, this does add one more pot to the stovetop, but the results are 100 percent worth it.

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When It Comes To Minestrone Improvise

So, what you put in your minestrone is really up to you. Don’t like beans? Leave them out. Love pasta? Put some in . Minestrone really is all about improvisation.

But where to start? Here is a hearty base minestrone soup recipe, with plenty of white beans, zucchini, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. It’s one of our favorite soups to make when the weather turns cool.

Elise Bauer

Minestrone Soup Recipe Video:

So guys, I have news. I vegetables. And you already knew that. And now you know it even more.

My hope for you with this soup that you make this on a really chilly and busy October night. Its absolutely perfect for those days/nights when you have only 3,018,857 things to get done, and the fact that the crockpot is adulting for you and taking on the dinner responsibilities for the evening means you have the 30 minutes you wouldve spent making dinner to do what. ever. you. like.

Real excitement right there. Ideally, that would happen in a big, comfy chair with a good book and a warm blanket. These oh so rare, picture-perfect moments are brought to you by my slow cooker minestrone soup recipe.

Also Check: Red Potatoes And Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Tips For Minestrone Soup

• You can use fresh or frozen green beans, whatever you prefer.
• Try to cut all the vegetables the same size so that they cook at the same rate.
• This soup freezes well, although the pasta and vegetables may be a little softer upon thawing and reheating.
• Be sure to drain and rinse your beans before adding them to the soup, you want to get rid of all that extra sodium!
• This soup is hearty enough to serve as a main course, but if youd like an extra dose of protein, try adding some cooked Italian sausage.

This Olive Garden minestrone soup hits the spot on a cold day, and its so easy to make too! Add a sprinkle of parmesan and some warm bread and youve for a quick dinner that everyone is sure to love.

How To Make Minestrone Soup From Scratch

Minestrone is a hearty, Italian vegetable and bean loaded soup made with small pasta shells. It is incredibly easy to make from scratch and tastes infinitely better than anything that is

• In the bottom of a large soup pot on medium-high heat, melt the butter. add in the onion and fry until softened.
• Add in the celery, carrots, zucchini, green beans and minced garlic. Fry until the garlic is fragrant, two to three minutes.
• Add in all of the remaining ingredients except for the pasta shells. Mix the ingredients together until they are completely combined.
• Simmer the soup on the stove until the vegetables are tender, around 20-30 minutes. Once the vegetables are tender, add the pasta. Simmer for another 9-10 minutes until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
• Remove from the stove. Ladle into bowls and serve topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

Recommended Reading: Lipton Pot Roast

Serving The Minestrone Soup

Some freshly grated parmesan cheese is the perfect garnish for minestrone. After all, thats what they do at Olive Garden! It wouldnt hurt to add some chopped basil or cracked pepper to the mix.

Like I said before, minestrone is a stand-alone kind of soup. However, there is nothing like sopping up that hearty broth with nice piece of bread. Try making my Parmesan Garlic Flatbread Recipe or No Knead Bread.

The Key Minestrone Ingredients

Whether you say minestrone soup like the Italians, aka min eh stron ee or min eh stron eh, this soup is the perfect gateway to woo non-veggie lovers into getting a head start on their five a day. Its brothy and flavorful with potatoes, pasta, and cheese that makes the veggies more than palatable.

Because this soup has the simplest of ingredients and can be made with ease, the key is starting with the best quality you can find or afford.

While most people think of minestrone as a vegetarian soup, Petrinis recipe begins with salt pork. Yep, this recipe is from days gone by. I used bacon instead.

Grandmas newspaper recipe also calls for a super simple stock of bones and water slow-simmered for flavor. But I like a richer, heartier stock so my homemade beef stock fit the bill here. Or if you prefer, use chicken broth or a veggie stock instead.

To the stock youll be adding diced tomatoes, adding more richness and a bit of acid to balance the flavors.

The other source for this soups distinctive minestrone flavor comes from the spunk of Parmesan cheese, and while grandmas recipe doesnt call for it I have a secret that I learned of long ago: to cook the broth with a few leftover rinds of Parmesan cheese. This step really imparts that cheesy flavor and takes your broth from a tepid vegetable flavor to minestrone all the way.

Recommended Reading: Campbell’s Tomato Soup Sloppy Joe Recipe

How To Make Minestrone Soup Like Olive Garden

• Olive Yard Minestrone Soup Video Clip

This Olive Yard minestrone soup is packed with veggies, beans as well as pasta in a tomato brew. Its an imitator of the dining establishment variation that tastes also much better than the initial dish!

Whenever I most likely to Olive Yard I buy the soup, salad as well as breadsticks. I simply can not obtain sufficient of their minestrone soup, its my favored! This homemade variation is simple to work up as well as is an excellent means to obtain the household to consume their veggies. Offer your soup with garlic knots for a full dish.

Reading: how to make minestrone soup like olive garden

Whenever I most likely to Olive Yard, I need to obtain the minestrone soup. Its full of lots of fantastic tastes as well as structures, yet is light sufficient not to load me up prior to the main dish shows up. This dish is an Olive Yard minestrone soup imitator, as well as I need to state, its as excellent than the initial.

The Best Minestrone Soup With Inspiration From Ina

The minestrone soup Ive been serving for years began as Ina Gartens Winter Minestrone soup, but since I cant help but tinker with a recipe, it has since morphed into my own. I often skip the pancetta, and substitute whatever melange of vegetables I have in the crisper drawer. But there are two components of Inas recipe that I never skip: flavoring the broth with a generous scoop of pesto and serving the thickened soup with crusty bread.

Recommended Reading: Aldi Cream Of Chicken Soup

Tips & Tricks For Making Minestrone Soup

• You can use canned or dried beans. If you are using dried beans you will have to soak them in water overnight and then discard the water the next day and rinse.
• This is excellent done in the slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients except for the pasta and cook on low all day. Then cook the pasta shells according to the package directions and add it in at the end to warm it up.
• You can top it with Parmesan cheese if you like for a traditional taste.

Here are some other great soup recipes to try:

What Vegetables Go Into Minestrone Soup

This soup is loaded with veggies, it contains onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, green beans and spinach. This is the same blend of vegetables that Olive Garden uses, but you can absolutely change up the veggies depending on whats in season and what you have on hand. Other great vegetable choices are

• Russet potatoes
• Kale

Read Also: Campbell’s Tomato Soup Sloppy Joe Recipe

How To Serve Store & Freeze Minestrone Soup

If you plan to serve the whole pot of soup at once, go ahead and add the cooked pasta to the soup pot just before serving. But if youre planning for leftovers, keep the soup and the cooked pasta separate. Add cooked pasta to individual bowls and ladle the hot soup over top.

Store the cooked pasta and the minestrone soup in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When reheating, place the cold pasta in a bowl and ladle the reheated soup over top the soup will warm the pasta. Also, you can freeze the cooked minestrone soup in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. If freezing, plan to make a fresh batch of cooked pasta just before serving the thawed and reheated minestrone soup.