Hearty Vegetable Minestrone

A Bowl Full of Garden Veggies

Minestrone means “big soup,” and this one earns the name. It is packed with vegetables, white beans, and tiny pasta in a rich tomato broth, everything simmering together until the flavors deepen. It is budget-friendly, endlessly adaptable, and the kind of dinner that fills the whole kitchen with a good smell.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbows)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 cups baby spinach
• Grated Parmesan, for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté the vegetables. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, carrots, and celery for 6 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2. Add the broth and tomatoes. Stir in the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
3. Simmer the soup. Add the zucchini and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add beans and pasta. Stir in the beans and pasta and simmer for 8 minutes more, until the pasta is al dente.
5. Finish. Turn off the heat and stir in the spinach until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve. Ladle into bowls and top with a generous shower of grated Parmesan.

Tips

• Cut the vegetables into similar sizes so everything cooks evenly.
• Keep the pasta al dente since it continues to absorb broth as it sits.
• Use whatever vegetables are in season, the soup is very forgiving.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. The pasta softens in storage; add a splash of broth when reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add meat?

Add cooked sausage or pancetta when sautéing the onion for a deeper flavor.

Is this soup filling enough as a main dish?

Yes, the beans and pasta make it a complete, satisfying meal, especially with crusty bread.