Italian-Style Minestrone
A hearty Italian-style minestrone packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, perfect for warming up and satisfying the whole family with rich flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced celery ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil ⓘ
- 4 cans beef broth ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can Italian-style plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (9 oz.) package frozen Italian green beans ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) package frozen peas and carrots ⓘ
- 1/2 cup uncooked macaroni ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2 small zucchini, sliced ⓘ
- 1 can mushrooms ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute onion, celery, and garlic in oil in a large kettle or Dutch oven until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients to the pot.
- Bring the mixture slowly to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier minestrone, consider adding diced potatoes or using cannellini beans instead of kidney beans. Fresh herbs can elevate the flavor, so feel free to substitute dried basil and oregano with fresh if available. Additionally, adding a splash of balsamic vinegar before serving can enhance the dish's complexity. If you have leftover vegetables, such as bell peppers or spinach, toss them in for extra nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the minestrone hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added richness. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. For a delightful twist, try serving it alongside Aurelia'S Lasagne for a comforting Italian feast. A drizzle of olive oil on top just before serving can enhance the flavors even more.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stove over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water or broth if it's too thick. This minestrone can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just ensure it's in a freezer-safe container.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Italian-Style Minestrone contains roughly 853 calories, with 40g protein, 133g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (442% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (149% of the Daily Value), and vitamin D (139% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1166mg per serving (51% 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 minestrone vegetarian?
Yes, simply replace the beef broth with vegetable broth and ensure that no meat-based ingredients are included. This keeps the dish hearty and satisfying while accommodating vegetarian diets. You can also add more vegetables to compensate for the protein normally provided by beans.
How can I thicken the minestrone?
If you prefer a thicker texture, you can blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender and then mix it back into the pot. Alternatively, adding more pasta or a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water can help thicken the broth without altering the flavor.
What other vegetables can I add?
You can customize your minestrone by adding seasonal vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or kale. Root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes also work well. Just remember to adjust cooking times as needed so everything remains tender without becoming mushy.
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).