Minestrone Vegetarian Soup
A hearty vegetarian minestrone soup packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, beans, and a splash of red wine, perfect for comforting, nutritious meals for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 1 potato, diced ⓘ
- 2 stalks broccoli, diced
- 2 green peppers, diced ⓘ
- 2 quarts canned tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup uncooked chickpeas or kidney beans ⓘ
- 6 cups water ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried or fresh oregano ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons dried basil or 2 tablespoons fresh basil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dried or fresh marjoram ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme ⓘ
- Freshly ground pepper ⓘ
- 1 wedge green cabbage, cut in chunks ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 2 onions, diced ⓘ
- 2 carrots, diced ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup red wine ⓘ
Instructions
- Measure the chickpeas or kidney beans, water, and bay leaves into a medium-sized pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for about 2 to 3 hours or until the beans are tender.
- In a soup pot, heat the olive oil.
- Add the diced onions and finely chopped garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced green peppers and sauté for 5 minutes more.
- Reduce the heat and add the dried herbs, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
- Sauté for 5 minutes more, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Add the diced potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and green cabbage, one at a time, letting each vegetable cook down as you prepare the next.
- If the vegetables start to stick, add a bit of tomato juice.
- Crush the canned tomatoes with your hand or the back of a spoon to break into small pieces, then add to the soup.
- Simmer the soup for 15 minutes, then add the red wine and continue simmering until flavors meld.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider adding diced zucchini or spinach towards the end of cooking. If you don't have chickpeas or kidney beans, navy beans or black beans make great substitutes. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, and feel free to experiment with different herbs; thyme and marjoram can be swapped with rosemary for a different flavor profile. Always crush the canned tomatoes for better texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the minestrone soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if desired. It pairs beautifully with Italian Sweet Slaw for a refreshing side. A slice of crusty bread or a side of Thick Crust Pizza Dough enhances the meal, making it perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover minestrone soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much. The flavors will improve as it sits, making it even tastier the next day.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Minestrone Vegetarian Soup contains roughly 1741 calories, with 53g protein, 372g carbohydrates, and 50g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (475% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (403% of the Daily Value), and iron (222% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1074mg per serving (47% 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 tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can prepare it up to two days in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently on the stove when you're ready to serve.
Is this soup suitable for vegans?
Absolutely! This minestrone vegetarian soup is entirely plant-based, making it a great option for vegan diets. Just ensure that any additional toppings or sides you serve alongside are also vegan-friendly.
What can I add for extra protein?
To boost the protein content, consider adding cooked lentils or additional beans. You can also incorporate some quinoa or farro into the soup for added texture and nutrition. Both options will complement the existing ingredients beautifully.
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).