Vegetable Minestrone Recipe

Vegetable Minestrone is a hearty Italian soup packed with fresh vegetables, beans, pasta, and herbs simmered in a rich tomato broth. This rustic, nourishing dish is filling, healthy, and perfect for cozy meals that celebrate simple, wholesome ingredients.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Servings: 6

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 165

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
2 carrots finely diced
1 garlic clove crushed
1 × 14oz 400g can chopped Italian plum tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
6¼ cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 × 14oz 400g can cannellini or red kidney beans, drained
8 oz 250g leeks, trimmed and finely sliced
4 oz 125g Savoy cabbage, finely shredded
2 tbsp arborio risotto rice
Salt and black pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Method

Begin by heating 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, 2 celery stalks, and 2 carrots to the pan, cooking gently while stirring for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and release their flavors.
Next, add the 14oz can of chopped Italian plum tomatoes, 1 tbsp of tomato paste, and the crushed garlic clove. Season the mixture generously with salt and black pepper, stirring to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
Pour in the 6¼ cups of chicken or vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover the pan and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
Allow the soup to cook for 15 minutes, stirring periodically to guarantee even cooking and flavor development. After this initial simmering period, add the drained 14oz can of cannellini or red kidney beans, along with the 8oz of trimmed and finely sliced leeks, 4oz of finely shredded Savoy cabbage, and 2 tbsp of arborio rice.
Continue simmering the soup for another 20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become tender and the rice to cook through.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve the minestrone hot in bowls, topping each serving with a generous handful of grated Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch of richness and flavor.

Notes

What's the Difference Between Minestrone and Vegetable Soup?

Minestrone is a specific type of Italian vegetable soup with distinct characteristics that set it apart from generic vegetable soup. Traditional minestrone always includes beans (usually cannellini or kidney beans) and pasta or rice, creating a heartier, more substantial dish. It features a tomato-based broth and typically incorporates Italian vegetables like zucchini, cabbage, and fresh herbs such as basil. The soup is finished with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. In contrast, basic vegetable soup can use any vegetables, any type of broth, and doesn't require beans or starch. Minestrone follows Italian culinary traditions, while vegetable soup is more flexible and adaptable to various cuisines and preferences.