Description
Craving something cozy, hearty, and packed with goodness? This classic Minestrone Soup is your answer. It’s the perfect quick dinner idea that’s wholesome, flavorful, and loaded with colorful vegetables, beans, and pasta—all simmered in a savory tomato broth. Whether you need a healthy snack, an easy recipe for meal prep, or warm comfort food to please the whole family, this easy dinner checks every box.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 zucchini, chopped
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup small pasta (like ditalini)
2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Add zucchini, diced tomatoes with juice, both beans, broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
3. Let the soup simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become tender and the flavors to meld.
4. Stir in the pasta and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Add spinach or kale and cook for another 2–3 minutes until wilted.
5. Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with Parmesan and bread if desired.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and monitor cooking time closely.
If planning to freeze, cook and store pasta separately to prevent it from getting mushy.
Enhance the flavor with a Parmesan rind simmered into the broth, then removed before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: minestrone soup, easy dinner, healthy soup, vegetarian soup, quick meal, Italian soup