Minestrone(Soup)
A hearty, vegetable-rich minestrone soup featuring fresh herbs and beans, perfect for comforting meals and suitable for vegetarians or those seeking a nutritious, flavorful dish.
Ingredients
- 3 medium carrots, chopped coarsely
- 3 stalks celery, chopped coarsely ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces ⓘ
- 1 large potato, cut in 3/4-inch cubes
- 2 medium zucchini, cut in 1/2-inch cubes ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. cabbage, shredded coarsely ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/3 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 2 medium onions, chopped ⓘ
- 3 1/2 cups beef broth ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups water ⓘ
- 1 (28 oz.) can Italian tomatoes, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a 5-quart Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions; sauté until soft and golden, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in carrots, celery, green beans, and potato; sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add zucchini, cabbage, and minced garlic; sauté for 3 minutes.
- Pour in beef broth, water, and reserved juice from chopped tomatoes.
- Add chopped tomatoes, salt, dried basil, dried rosemary, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 1 1/2 hours.
- Add drained and rinsed cannellini beans to the soup.
- Uncover and cook until the soup thickens, about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using homemade beef broth if available. You can substitute olive oil with canola oil and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley can enhance the taste, and if you prefer a heartier soup, add pasta or rice during the last 20 minutes of cooking. This minestrone can be adapted for seasonal vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this minestrone hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a simple green salad. For a complete Italian meal, consider serving it alongside Penne Rigate With Meat Sauce Peperonata or Ziti With Pepperoni for a delightful family dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover minestrone in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Minestrone(Soup) contains roughly 1803 calories, with 17g protein, 147g carbohydrates, and 138g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), iron (161% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (152% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 656mg per serving (29% 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 soup in advance?
Yes, minestrone soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently before serving, adding a bit of water if it has thickened.
What can I use instead of cannellini beans?
If you don't have cannellini beans, you can substitute them with great northern beans or kidney beans. Both options will provide a similar texture and flavor to the soup.
Can I add meat to this minestrone?
Absolutely! You can add cooked ground beef, sausage, or diced chicken to the soup at the beginning with the onions for added protein and flavor. Just adjust the broth quantity to maintain the desired soup consistency.
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).