Betty'S Minestrone Soup
A hearty, vegetable-packed minestrone soup featuring fresh herbs, tender pasta, and savory Parmesan cheese, perfect for comforting family dinners or vegetarian gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 c. cut-up celery ⓘ
- 1/2 c. onions ⓘ
- 1/4 c. parsley ⓘ
- 1 or 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1 large or 2 small bay leaves ⓘ
- 1 c. cut up green beans ⓘ
- 1 c. carrots ⓘ
- 3/4 c. green pepper ⓘ
- 2 c. tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 c. cubed potatoes ⓘ
- 3 qt. boiling water ⓘ
- 6 bouillon cubes ⓘ
- 3/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 2 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 c. butter ⓘ
- 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 2 1/2 c. small pasta ⓘ
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large stock pot.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider sautéing the garlic and onions in the butter before adding the other ingredients. You can substitute the small pasta with whole grain options or use leftover cooked pasta. If you prefer a thicker soup, blend a portion of the soup and stir it back in. This minestrone is versatile, allowing you to add seasonal vegetables or even beans for extra protein.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the minestrone soup hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor. It pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. For a fun twist, try it alongside a dish like Noodles A La Broccoli or Meatless Vegetable All Italian Soup to create a cozy Italian-inspired dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover minestrone soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain the desired consistency. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits, making it even tastier the next day.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Betty'S Minestrone Soup contains roughly 1417 calories, with 96g protein, 232g carbohydrates, and 36g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (470% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (396% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2484mg per serving (108% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup in advance?
Yes, minestrone soup can be made in advance and actually benefits from sitting for a day as the flavors meld together. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently before serving. You may need to add a bit of water or broth to achieve the desired consistency after refrigerating.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
Absolutely! You can freeze minestrone soup for up to three months. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove, adding water or broth if necessary.
What can I add to make it heartier?
To make the minestrone soup heartier, you can add canned beans such as kidney or cannellini beans for extra protein and fiber. Additionally, diced zucchini or spinach can enhance the nutrition and bulk of the dish. For a comforting twist, serve it with a side of Italian recipes like Quick Tortilla Pizza.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).