Classic Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is an Italian favorite you'll make again and again.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated September 04, 2023
Elise Bauer

Do you love minestrone?

This favorite Italian soup is made with fresh seasonal vegetables, often with the addition of pasta or rice. Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes.

There is no set recipe for minestrone, since it is usually made out of whatever vegetables are in season. It can be vegetarian, contain meat, or contain a meat-based soup base (such as chicken stock).

minestrone soup in dutch oven

Elise Bauer

When It Comes to Minestrone, Improvise!

So, what you put in your minestrone is really up to you. Don't like beans? Leave them out. Love pasta? Put some in (we recommend small pasta like ditalini). Minestrone really is all about improvisation.

But where to start? Here is a hearty base minestrone soup recipe, with plenty of white beans, zucchini, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. It's one of our favorite soups to make when the weather turns cool.

minestrone soup in ladle

Elise Bauer

How to Store and Freeze Minestrone

Minestrone leftovers can be refrigerated for about a week and reheated either in the microwave or over low heat on the stove top.

The soup also freezes fairly well, though the vegetables tend to be softer after freezing and reheating. Note that pasta does not freeze well, so if you're planning on adding some, it's best to freeze the soup without the pasta and then add it after thawing and reheating.

minestrone soup in dutch oven

Elise Bauer

To Add Pasta or Not to Add Pasta?

This recipe doesn't call for pasta, but it can make minestrone extra hearty. Use small pasta like ditalini, but macaroni works in a pinch. About one cup of uncooked pasta is a good amount.

So, when do you add pasta to minestrone? If you want everything to cook in one pot, about 10 minutes into simmering the vegetables in Step 3. You'll probably need to add 1 to 2 more cups liquid bit by bit, since the pasta will absorb some.

For more control over doneness, boil the pasta separately in stock or water, then drain and add to the finished soup.

As leftovers sit, pasta absorbs broth and gets soft. To keep this from happening, boil it separately, drain, and add the cooked pasta as needed when you serve the soup. It’s best to freeze the soup with no pasta; add it after thawing and reheating.

What to Serve With Minestrone Soup?

You can't go wrong with crusty bread. And a big dollop of pesto floated on each bowl right at serving time is heavenly! If you want more meat, try adding Italian sausages to the soup, or have them on the side.

Check Out Our Other Minestrone Recipes

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Classic Minestrone Soup

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 65 mins
Servings 6 servings

You can use canned beans (use a good quality brand, I recommend S&W or Bush's) or you can cook dry beans.

If starting with dry beans, soak about 3/4 cup of dry beans overnight in cold water (or pour boiling water over the beans and soak for 1 hour). Drain. Cover with a couple inches of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for an hour, or until tender enough to eat. Then drain and use in this recipe as directed.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

  • 3/4 cup chopped onion

  • 3/4 cup chopped carrot

  • 3/4 cup chopped celery

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

  • 1 Yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks

  • 2 cups sliced savoy or curly cabbage

  • 1 zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch chunks

  • 2 medium fresh ripe tomatoes (romas if available), cored, peeled, chopped

  • 6 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian version)

  • 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or great northern white beans, drained (about 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans)

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish

Method

  1. Sauté the vegetables:

    Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart thick-bottomed pot on medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more.

    Add the bay leaf, thyme, fennel seeds. Add the potato, cabbage, zucchini, and tomatoes. Add the chicken stock.

  2. Simmer the soup:

    Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and cooked through.

  3. Finish the soup:

    Add the beans and parsley to the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs.

    Serve with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
385 Calories
14g Fat
52g Carbs
16g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 385
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 1078mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 9g 30%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 44mg 220%
Calcium 166mg 13%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 1458mg 31%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.