Vegetable Minestrone Variations (Print Version)

A comforting Italian soup brimming with seasonal vegetables, pasta, and beans, perfect for any season.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 1 small zucchini, diced or 1 small butternut squash, diced
06 - 1 cup green beans, chopped or 1 cup chopped kale or spinach
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

→ Broth and Beans

10 - 6 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 can (14 ounces) cannellini or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 3.5 ounces small pasta such as ditalini, elbow, or shells
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Herbs and Seasonings

14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley plus additional for serving
18 - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, zucchini or squash, and green beans or kale. Cook for 3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, diced potato, and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes, then pour in vegetable broth.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
05 - Add beans and pasta. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until pasta and vegetables are tender.
06 - Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Remove the bay leaf and stir in chopped parsley.
07 - Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with crusty bread and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Nutritious and Hearty: Packed with fiber from beans and a variety of seasonal vegetables.
  • Customizable: Easily adapted for summer or winter harvests.
  • Simple Preparation: A straightforward one-pot meal that yields 6 servings in under an hour.
02 -
  • Simmer Uncovered: Cooking the pasta uncovered in the broth allows the starch to thicken the soup slightly.
  • Check Seasoning: Add salt and pepper at the end to ensure the balance is perfect after the broth has reduced.
  • Prep Ahead: Chopping all vegetables before starting the sauté step ensures a smooth cooking process.
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