Finally! It’s about time this blog offered a traditional minestrone soup recipe. Minestrone is a hearty Italian vegetable soup made with tomato-y broth and pasta or rice. I’ve been working hard on this recipe and I’m so excited to share it with you.
Minestrone was traditionally made to use up leftover vegetables, so feel free to use any seasonal vegetables and greens you have on hand. I used potatoes and spinach for the soup you see here, and it was absolutely delicious.
I listed some alternatives in the recipe, including yellow squash, zucchini, butternut squash, green beans or peas. That means that you can make seasonal minestrone on cool days from fall through spring!
I used canned beans here instead of cooking my own, which cuts the cooking time down to a reasonable weeknight level. The remaining ingredients are basic pantry items, including canned tomatoes, pasta, basic spices and onions.
Why is this the best minestrone soup?
- This hearty minestrone is easy to make and totally worth the effort.
- The recipe calls for seasonal vegetables and affordable pantry ingredients.
- The soup packs great for lunch, and tastes even better the next day.
- It freezes and defrosts well, too.
- This homemade minestrone is infinitely better than the Olive Garden or store-bought varieties!
I adapted this recipe from the lentil minestrone in my cookbook, which was based on my lentil soup. For this classic minestrone, I omitted the lentils, added white beans, upped the tomato paste, and reserved the final tablespoon of olive oil to mix in at the end.
Please let me know how you like this soup in the comments! I always love reading your feedback and I’m eager to hear which veggies you use in your soup.
If you’re looking for more soup recipes, definitely check out the two mentioned above, and I have even more soups here.
Watch how to make Minestrone Soup
Classic Minestrone Soup
- Author:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 bowls 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Warm up with this vegetarian minestrone soup! This classic minestrone soup recipe is healthy, easy to make, and tastes incredible. It’s vegan, too, if you don’t top it with cheese. Recipe yields 6 bowls or 8 cups of soup.
Ingredients
- 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 (potatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, butternut squash, green beans or peas all work)
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 large can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, with their liquid (or 2 small 15-ounce cans)
- 4 cups (32 ounces) 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 (15 ounces) 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 (optional)
Instructions
- Warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, tomato paste and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Add the seasonal vegetables, garlic, oregano and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and their juices, broth and water. Add the salt, bay leaves and red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
- Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot with the lid, leaving about a 1” gap for steam to escape. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and add the pasta, beans and greens. Continue simmering, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the the pasta is cooked al dente and the greens are tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat, then remove the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Taste and season with more salt (I usually add about ¼ teaspoon more) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup with grated Parmesan, if you’d like.
Notes
Make it dairy free/vegan: Don’t garnish with Parmesan, or use homemade vegan Parmesan.
Make it gluten free: Substitute your favorite sturdy gluten-free noodle. I used DeLallo’s Whole-Grain Rice Shells and they worked great.
Parmesan note: Most Parmesans are not technically vegetarian (they contain animal rennet), but Whole Foods 365 and BelGioioso brands offer vegetarian Parmesan cheese.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Karen clancy
I put root vegetables what your normally use for a stew and butter beans macaroni pasta in my recipe x yummy
★★★★
sonia scott
This soup is the best soup I’ve ever made or tasted. It’s so easy and so tasty. My husband said ‘this is really nice’, which is amazing as he doesn’t usually say anything about any meals he just eats them!
★★★★★
Kate
Hooray! That’s great to hear he loved it, Sonia. I appreciate you taking the time to review.
imandavis
Just made this today. Very easy recipe to follow and extremely tasty. Just what we needed on a cold, wintry Minnesota day!
★★★★★
Margie
Just made this today. I did let mine sit several hours before adding the pasta, kale and cannellini beans. I also added a pound of mild Italian sausage (which I added with the broth). Fabulous soup and I’ll use this recipe often! Thank you for sharing it!
★★★★★
Anne
I just made the minestrone soup today. It is amazing. And so easy to make. I used kale instead of spinach because I like kale. Thank you for such a great recipe.
Ana Gegaj Cantor
This is just divine! It’s in my weekly rotation now. I make it whole 30 (sans pasta and beans) and it’s still so flavorful and special. Love the addition of lemon and olive oil at the end it really makes everything work together so well!
★★★★★
Kate
I love it! Thank you for sharing, Ana.
Lisa
This was amazing! I used sweet potato, green beans, acorn squash and poblano peppers with mushroom broth. I also used 3 cans of beans-navy, red,
and chickpeas. I did have to add a little extra water because of this. It was definitely time consuming chopping everything up, but so worth it! Very comforting on a chilly day as well.
★★★★★
Julie
Absolutely loved it. Can’t believe a lot of vegetables tasted so good. First time making minestrone and will be on the menu every week from now on. Thank you.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m delighted you loved it, Julie!
Lynne Cardamone
My hubby loves my soups. I make a great French onion soup, using the leftover bones from a prime rib. I also make a great chicken soup. He also loves minestrone soup, but I have never attempted to try it . this recipe looks so simple and quick to make. I’m going to give it a shot. Thank you so much for sharing we shall See how it turns out.
★★★★★
karen
would you be so kind to share your onion soup using a prime rib bone, it sounded good.T hanks
★★★★★
Sandra
Great soup! Super easy and delicious. Actually was even better next day. I want to keep a pot of it in the fridge at all times. Lol. I spiced it up a little bit with some cayenne pepper and served with hot sauce.
★★★★★
Lauren J
Made this several times and love it! Reheats great as well. I’m trying out freezing half with but the pasta (only the 2 of us so a full recipe makes a lot). Hopefully it will do well from frozen too.
★★★★★
Lana Cruz
Hi Kate,
I make my minestrone almost the same way as you do except I always add the rind from the parmigiano reggiano I always save + a can of chickpeas. The rind adds a tremendous amount of flavor!
Love your recipes!
Lana
★★★★★
Carolyn Barbera
We loved this soup. Used less salt and olive oil because of our diet, but otherwise followed the recipe. Made a second batch after finishing the first. Thanks!
★★★★★
Kristen Rios
How much less salt did you leave out? My mom can’t consume a lot of salt.
Alana Dyer
Oh my goodness. This is quite literally the best soup recipe I’ve used in my life. Perfect for a cold Michigan evening. Will definitely be making again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
I’m delighted you love it! Thank you for your review, Alana.
Cindy
This is a great minestrone soup! I made it today and it’s perfect. I love the base of this soup and it’s a flexible base to which it is easy to add different vegetables. I added a leek with the onions, carrots and celery and instead of vegetarian broth I used 6 cups of water and added a couple of parmesan rinds. I don’t love a lot of carbs in my soup so I skipped the potatoes and pasta and just used beans. Love it!
★★★★★
G V
Great recipe, thank you! – easy to follow and packed with flavour. I’m usually not a fan of minestrone however, this will be a winter staple.
I also left out the pasta and added more beans x
★★★★★
Kate
That’s great! Thank you for sharing, GV.
John Staples
What a fantastic recipe! We love this soup, and we’ll have it again for dinner tonight (with ciabattina). We’re on a modified low FODMAP diet, so I used only the green parts of green onions and garlic-infused olive oil. But I followed the recipe exactly for the rest. Used zucchini and yellow squash for my vegs., but can see that any seasonal veg. would work equally well. Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Vasavi Ramachandran
This recipe makes the best minestrone soup. Thanks for all work that went into making our week day night amazing!
Chani
Hi!
This recipe looks delicious and I really want to make it but the only thing I am missing is the vegetable broth. Is there a way I can substitute that, or make a vegetable broth? Thanks!
★★★★★
Kate
Hi! I haven’t tried it with this recipes, but I know some who have replaced with water in the past. You will likely need to adjust seasonings.
Patti
I make vegetable broth. When you’re chopping your veggies put all the (clean) ends in a pot of water and let it slow boil for an hour or more
★★★★★
cara
i’ve made this probably four times now. this soup is so addictive and delicious, i totally recommend. i add a /bunch/ of veggies, so if you are like me and love using 4-6 cups of vegetables, make sure to add a bunch of extra broth!
★★★★★
Harriet Brook
I have to say the Minestrone soup was absolutely delicious and all my family loved it. It was so easy to make and really healthy for the family. I liked the way you added lemon juice at the end as that gave loads of flavour to the vegetables.
I will definitely make this again and I have sent the recipe to all my family and friends.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy you loved it, Harriet! Thank you for your review.
Supraja
I made your chili last week for dinners and this for dinners this week! Thank you for posting such easy and accessible recipes, as a grad student I don’t have a lot of time (or $$$ lol) to make healthy, filling meals but your blog always makes this easy for me :)
This worked in my 3qt IP, halfed the recipe and used soaked uncooked red beans, pressured cooked 14 mins and did a release after 15 and added some cooked macaroni. Even yummier on a rainy day!
★★★★★
Becky Braverman
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It is easy and delicious! It is also hearty enough to serve for meatless Monday. Everyone loved it!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Becky! Thank you for my review.
Becky
Excellent! Like so many of your recipes. My husband and I loved it! Mad it just as you said, maybe a little extra chili flakes. Great on a rainy day and can’t wait to have it for lunch the next few days.
★★★★★
Rhonda
This is the best minestrone soup ever! I used Chicken stock instead of vegetable stock. I used more garlic and the herbs than what you called for. Also, added Parmesan into the soup instead of just putting it into the bowls. It gave it the savory saltiness I needed without adding more salt. So healthy and absolutely delicious! Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful, Rhonda! Thank you for your review.
Laura Alexander
I have made this soup many times. We have enjoyed it very much. I do use dried black beans, which I cook separately, as well as ditalini, which I also cook separately and add both at the end. I use kale or spinach depending what I have on hand.
★★★★★
Kelly Valli
Thank you so much for this!! It came to me at just the right time! The snow came earlier than predicted and I really just wanted wine and to stay home for the night –so I shuffled through the fridge and pantry for all the veggies past their prime. Chopped them up –and this made the best minestrone dinner on a cold night. My vegetarian daughter is beyond happy. I served with some slightly stale bread that turned into the perfect garlicky grilled cheese. Sincerely grateful. I will make this a regular tradition when I want to use up veggies.
★★★★★
Kate
That’s great! Thank you for sharing, Kelly.
Kristen
Made your soup with green beans, potatoes and zuchinni. We also subbed homemade duck broth since we had it for the veggie stock and it was out of this world!
★★★★★
Tristen
I love, love, LOVE this recipe! So versatile and SO tasty no matter what veggies I put in!
I’m curious if there’s a way I could make this in the crockpot?
★★★★★
Kate
I’m delighted you love it, Tristen! Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t thing you will save much time in a crock pot as I highly recommend following the steps to get the best flavor.
Kerri Wall
I once read that whatever Minestrone soup recipe you use, first fry up some pepperoni before adding veggies. This brings a depth of flavour that it so lovely and works well with the nature of this soup.
Cindy
Just made this one today–another total win from Cookie and Kate!
Ours had gluten-free pasta which I cooked too long, but taste was still perfection. Used all organic ingredients and the Spouse, who is in chemo-recovery, said, “I can feel this healing me….”
So from the bottom of my heart, Kate, THANK YOU.
Also from your cookbook this week: burrito bowls, summer salsa (canned tomatoes), and granola–all are delish. Your butternut / chickpea stew is next–perfect for this upcoming cold weather. I so appreciate all the extra info you offer: gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. Will go to amazon and rate your cookbook–thanks again!
★★★★★
Kate
That’s great, Cindy! Thank you for your review.
Lindsey
This is one of my favourite soupes I’ve made yet!
Thank you!! From Canada
★★★★★
SML
There is snow predicted here in the Cotswolds this afternoon and I was in search of a good soup recipe for lunch. This was so delicious and a wonderfully warming, nourishing, fridge-clear-out one-pot meal! I used sweet potatoes that had been sitting in the kitchen for a few weeks, a mix of kale, cavalo nero, and baby spinach, white beans — no pasta but added a crusty loaf of bread on the side. Also simmered it all with a large Parmesan rind for some extra umami. Don’t skip final seasoning (Maldon if you have it) and the squeeze of lemon and drizzle of olive oil at the end. So good!
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy you loved it! Thank you for sharing.
PJ
Trying to find recipes that will help me get my daily quota of veggies–not a big fan. This soup was so good I went back for thirds. Thank you! The recipe is a keeper.
★★★★★
JezMez
Oh, my gosh, I LOVE this soup! I ended up putting several more cups of liquid in – and therefore a few more dashes of thyme and oregano – but this is just perfect. It makes me so happy!
★★★★★
J Muse
It’s super cold and my two teenagers and I just made this recipe. We are all wowed. It’s exactly what I was hoping and aiming for. Thanks for adding a much needed go-to to the shamefully lacking recipe repertoire of a single dad.
★★★★★
Smitha Shankar
Excellent recipe, just what I needed for a weeknight dinner !!!
Thank you for sharing this.
Smitha
★★★★★
Brenda
Molto delizioso!!!
★★★★★
Katie W.
This is a fabulous base recipe. I used zucchini and eggplant as my seasonal veggies and whatever small pasta I had in my pantry. I also put a leftover sliver of parmesean rind in the broth to add some extra flavor. I’ll be making this recipe every time I need to use up leftover veggies!
★★★★★
Veronica Harrell
This is the vegetarian minestrone soup recipe I’ve been waiting for! So yummy! I made some adjustments based on ingredients I had to use up (haricot vert, leeks, and leftover ravioli) The base of the recipe remained the same. I will keep this in my soup recipes arsenal!
Laura Salas
I loved this soup! It’s such a great clean-out-the-fridge vegan soup. I doubled it and used green beans, zucchini, peas, and corn in addition to the celery and carrots. The only thing I would change is that I would only use petit diced tomatoes rather than regular diced. The lemon juice at the end really finishes it off. Definitely a 5/5 star recipe.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Laura!
Renee
Just delish! I made it as written, but I didn’t have any small pasta on hand. Instead, I added frozen cheese tortellini. It was so good, and filling enough for my teenage boys (a rare feat for a soup!). Thanks for a great recipe!
★★★★★
Divorced kat
Excellent recipe! I used fresh zucchini and frozen green beans. Next time I will keep the pasta separate and add when we are ready to eat.
★★★★★
Dot
Excellent recipe, very easy. I used zucchini for the veg and added italian sausage and parmesan cheese rine. So easy and very delicious.
★★★★★
Michelle
Had some left over herbs and chickpeas from a falafel recipe…used them up with this minestrone recipe, very tasty, nice and filling on a cold WI day!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Michelle!
Pam Knowles
I have a few pounds (well… a lot but that’s not the point) to lose and looked up what I can eat if I am starving. Minestrone was a choice.
This minestrone recipe lives up to the high ratings. Perfect exactly as written. I think the secret ingredient is the red pepper flakes. For my seasonal veggies I used green beens and asparagus. Oh, and I used two different beans: cannelli and black beans.
Make it and enjoy a guilt free meal or snack.
★★★★★
AJP
Absolutely delicious! Made this for my daughter, home from college. Had a nice bowl with some crusty bread. Yum!
★★★★★
maryann fay
when i searched for a new minestrone recipe to try, yours popped up first and i am so happy it did! your recipe was simple to follow and the end result was just delicious! my new favorite soup that i will be making again soon! thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy it did too, Maryann! Thank you for reporting back.
Glenn Bahler
Made it last night and it turned out very well. I would definitely make it again. It was completely cleaned nothing left over. Thanks for the recipe!
Rudri
Your recipes are the best! I don’t have tomato paste nor canned tomatoes but have a LOT of fresh tomatoes at home. Any recommendations on how I can substitute?
Kate
Hi Rudri, I prefer canned for this for the taste they provide. I haven’t tried it with fresh, sorry!
Paige
This recipe is great! I’ve made this recipe and the one in the cookbook (with lentils) probably 10 times. If you switch out the vegetables it’s easy to make it feel “new” each time.
Nyree
I’ve made this recipe a few times and I absolutely adore it I’m not sure what it is (maybe the generous olive oil) but it just comes out so mich better than other similar soups I’ve tried.
This time I made it with chickpeas instead of beans, added lentils a la your lentil soup recipe and used gluten free elbow pasta – it worked a charm!
★★★★★
Kate
Hooray! I’m glad you love it, Nyree. Thank you for your review.
Amy Edwards
Stop scrolling. This is The Best Minestone! I like mine with fresh greenbeans as seasonal veg. Absolutely amazing!! Make sure you keep an eye on it when you add the tomato paste. I generally start adding the veg broth incrementally in that stage to keep from scorching the first set of ingredients. I like to beef this up with a little more of all the vegetables, an aditional can of tomatoes and both cannelli & northern beans.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you, Amy! I’m excited you think so.
Erin Little
I can really only comment on the soup base and flavour because I changed so much stuff haha. It is amazing! I used onions, carrots, green beans, corn, peas, and added extra kidney and cannelini beans. I subbed the pasta out for barley to make a more complete protein and make it stand up a bit better for freezing (I hate bloated pasta). I pressure can my own chicken stock (from my own chickens) and can my own tomato soup (from my own tomatoes), so this soup is perfect for us. This is the second time I have made it (in double batches) and my son takes it to school in his lunches. Absolutely yummy and so healthy. Will try spinach the next time and maybe add rabbit meat balls (again, from our own rabbits). Thank you!
★★★★★
Nicole Le-Talbot
Do you cook the potatoes before adding into the soup?
Kate
No need! They will cook in the soup.
Sarita Sanders
Simmering on the stove now. Smells delicious. I am not vegetarian so I added chicken broth and Italian sausage. Ty for this great recipe.
★★★★★
Caroline Mosley
Excellent minestrone soup recipe. I used rainbow carrots, small creamer potatoes, curly mustard greens and added in mild Italian sausage. Will definitely make it again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
Sounds delicious, Caroline! Thank you for your review.
Anne
I don’t usually even like minestrone, but I made this one (with frozen peas plus some fresh basil) and it was AMAZING. I froze some for my daughter and her partner, and they ate it like stew. Looking forward to making it again!
★★★★★
Kate
Sounds delicious, Anne! Thank you for your review.
Emma
I didn’t change a thing except to add more veggies and garlic than it says (I do that normally anyway!) It was delicious and my family wants me to keep the recipe!
Kate
You’re welcome, Emma!
May
I really like how this turned out, but it took me FORever to prep. I used butternut squash, eggplant and roasted peppers (green, yellow and jalapeño). For my greens I added thinly sliced chard. Instead of canned beans, I had some pre-soaked flageolet beans that I cooked separately. This recipe made a good amount of soup (freezable!), and used up a mishmash of veggies I needed to use up. A+ recipe!
★★★★★
Kate
I’m sorry you found it too a long time to prep, but happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you for your review, May.
Shawna
This soup is amazing, followed the recipe to the t and it came out flawless! Definitely becoming a staple for our menu! Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed it, Shawna.
Kathy
We made this recipe and mostly followed the it as written. I am on a reduced sodium plan and I was shocked at the amount of sodium in your recipe! Nearly a full day’s worth for me! So I used low or no salt canned sauces, broth and tomatoes. I added a few shakes of salt right before serving. With all these precautions, the soup seemed salty to me, but not so much to my husband. The soup is just delicious! It was fun cooking with my husband and giving him directions that he actually followed!
★★★★★
Jen
I love this recipe! I remember my first taste and couldn’t believe the flavours, and I knew it was good when my Italian boyfriend was blown away as well.
Love how versatile this recipe is which allows me to substitute ingredients <3
★★★★★
Stephanie Dagenais
Ive made this soup several times and its absolutely delicious, i always substitute the veggie broth for beef broth, adding about an extra cup of broth and use red kidney beans and I dont add the pasta as we like lots of broth in our soup. I usually use frozen veggies to make this, corn is a must!! We love this soup so much thanks for the amazing recipe.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Bowman
Best soup I’ve ever tasted !!!
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful, Elizabeth! Thank you for your review.
Sofia
Absolutely delicious!!! Couldn’t get enough. I am making this recipe pretty often lately and the whole family loves it. I just change sometimes some of the seasonal vegetables, it’s depends of what I have in a fridge and each and every time it’s comes out perfect. Thank you very much for such a great recipe.
★★★★★
Kate
Lovely, Sofia! I do love how versatile this soup is.
Randall
This is exactly what I was looking and hoping for! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! This is my go to recipe for comfort food(soup) on a cold day,or just because I crave it. Thank you again
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Randall! I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Rand
I love this recipe! I may be duplicating my comment,I’m not sure it went through,but this is exactly what wanted and craved! Thank you so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Valerie
I put spinach, potatoes, peas, chiocciole pasta and northern white beans (that’s what I had). The lemon juice and extra olive oil at the end gave it that extra something. Great recipe! I made easy instant pot veggie broth ahead and strained it right into the soup. Takes care of lunches for tomorrow also. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
Sounds delicious, Valerie! Thank you for your review.
kathleen
How can I make this fat free for my sister who can not tolerate any oil?
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Kathleen, you can try using vegetable broth. I know some have tried this in other applications, but I personally haven’t.
Carolyn
I made this today (used ditalini pasta because that’s what I had and added a little more than a cup just because I had some left over). Used yellow and green squash, potatoes, green beans for the vegetables (with carrots and celery – no onions as we don’t like onions). Had to add a little more water because of the extra pasta. It was yummy and so, so, so easy. Thanks!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing your variation, Carolyn! I’m excited you loved it.
Jas
I followed the recipe exactly but added chorizo at the beginning and it was divine. Will definitely be making this again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Jas! Thank you for your review.
Jean
So delicious and easy! Very hearty, a great way to get your vegetables. Could not believe how much my daughter liked it!!
★★★★★
Kate
I love that! Thank you for sharing, Jean. I appreciate your review.
Sherry Hammond
This is the Best soup ever! I make it every week and create variations with different vegetables. Thank you Kate for your amazing recipes.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you! I’m happy you loved it, Sherry.
Finley
I LOVE this soup! I made it for the first time this weekend and it is a hit. My husband, who does not like soup, raved about it. I didn’t have any beans so I left those out and I also didn’t have any canned diced tomatoes so I substituted fresh. It worked perfectly! Thank you!!
Leslie W
Delicious! Even my carnivore husband remarked several times how much he enjoyed it! I used potatoes and spinach and added navy beans instead of cannellini. I think I simmered it too long at the end as a lot of the liquid was absorbed. That’s the only thing I would change.
★★★★
Kate
That’s great, Leslie! Thank you for your review.
Jessy Hamer
This soup is delightful! I didn’t change anything because it is perfect the way it is.
Terrie
I loved it!!!! So versatile. You gave me the freedom to use what veggies I had. I used potato because peeling the butternut squash was more difficult. Thank you!
★★★★★
Peter Rae
Lovely recipe! Is there a chance you could add the calorie count? I used orzo pasta – my default soup pasta
★★★★★
Kate
Hi Peter! Nutrition information is below the notes section of the recipe. I hope this helps!
Lorraine Culligan
I have been cooking this nearly weekly for the last few months, working remotely and coming home at lunchtime to basically just heating up a bowl of goodness after a cold run or walk has made life impeccably easier on myself and my husband who adores this soup! And myself as a vegetarian, likewise, very difficult to find a happy balance, which I have! Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome! I’m delighted you enjoyed it.
Rachel King
This soup knocks Olive Garden’s out of the park. I’ve made this at least 10 times this winter, it’s absolutely amazing every time! I keep the veggie trimmings and turn them into veggie stock to remake this soup. Fantastic cycle! Thanks so much for this recipe, definitely a keeper.
★★★★★
Rachel
This soup knocks Olive Garden’s out of the park. I’ve made this at least 10 times this winter, it’s absolutely amazing every time! I keep the veggie trimmings and turn them into veggie stock to remake this soup. Fantastic cycle! Thanks so much for this recipe, definitely a keeper.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you! I’m delighted you loved it, Rachel.
Erica
Very good!
I used string beans, corn potatoes and carrots.
★★★★★
Gina Caslin
LOVE LOVE LOVE your Minestrone soup!!!!! A wkly staple!!!! I substitute the Turkey broth for low sodium Turkey stock/ I use all (6) cups of this. I boil my elbows separately/ so they don’t soak up the broth & I can add the cooked pasta when reheating the soup.
Such a Delish recipe!!!! Thank You!!!
★★★★★
Saddie
I made this today and it was absolutely phenomenal. It was hands down the best soup I’ve ever had. The only thing I changed was- I used the flavored diced tomatoes(the garlic, oregano, and basil flavor).
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Saddie!
Cynthia
This is the recipe I used when I decided to start making soups. It’s a keeper. Excellent way to get Family to eat lots of veg in one meal. Thank You!
★★★★★
surette
it was delicious, fun and easy to make. i ate three bowls the first day i made it. i like having the flexibility to add the fresh vegetables of my choosing. i’ll recommend it and definitely make it again.
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful, Surette! Thank you for your review.
Ana Batista
I love this recipe, I have made it several times already and every time it’s gone right away. I add any vegetables that I found in my fridge and some time I put steak tips, it’s delicious
★★★★★
jj
I made a double batch of this and I’m glad I did because it was so delicious I ate it for days! I had planned to stock the freezer, but it was all eaten :)
I’m about to make another double batch.
★★★★★
Emily
Discovered this soup last year, i work nights so luckily i can enjoy this all year round! Ive made it for my work colleges before and they all loved it too, easily the best minestrone soup recipe I’ve ever used. I usually add smoked paprika too and it’s honestly delicious
★★★★★
Kate
I’m happy you love it, Emily! Thank you for your review.
Sarah M
This has been my go to recipe for years! Soooo easy, sooooo good. The family love it. I freeze batches for an easy weekday meal. Thank you Kate.
★★★★★
M
I highly recommend this recipe. It is so tasty and hearty. I double the kidney beans for some extra weight. Thanks so much!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, M! Thank you for your review.
Joan Hazlewood
This is my go to recipe for Minestrone now. It tastes utterly delicious. I use Green Beans for my Seasonal veg and Kale for my Green veg. I use Cannellini beans, I’m in Scotland and I’m not sure what a Great northern bean is. Is it a Haricot bean? I make double so that I can freeze some.
★★★★★
Kate
I love it! It’s more like a navy bean. I hope that helps, Joan.
Tim
This is the best soup! Being a vegetarian, I have occasionally purchased canned minestrone soup. This is the first time I made it from scratch, and it is a world of difference! This soup is so delicious. I’ve recently been adding more broth-based soups to my diet because they are good for weight loss. A bowl of this soup is only about 300 calories, but it will fill you up and make you feel satisfied.
After the first batch, I substituted diced tomatoes for tomato sauce at my son’s request because he didn’t like the texture. My partner wanted it beanier, so I now add two cans of beans instead of one. I’ve always used potatoes. I’ve tried it with both spinach and collard greens and like it both ways. It pleases all the picky eaters in the house, and is a whole meal in one pot with carbs, protein, and veggies. What more can you ask for! This recipe is going to become a staple in this household.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Tim! I’m glad you enjoyed this minestrone soup.
Jacki
This recipe is amazing. I’m Italian so I grew up eating minnestrone and this taste as good as anything my grandma would make :) highly recommend
★★★★★
Kate
I love that this holds up to what you remember from your childhood! Thank you for your review, Jacki.
Sara Rubenstein
This looks great! Can I substitute with chicken broth for a case of the sniffles?
Kate
Hi, that should work too. I hope you feel well soon!