Hearty Minestrone Soup
Tomato-based vegetable soup with beans and pasta.
Hearty Minestrone Soup is a classic vegetarian Italian recipe built around a handful of pantry staples. It serves 4 and comes together in roughly 35 minutes from prep to plate. It is an approachable, beginner-friendly dish — the kind of recipe you can put on the table in about 35 minutes without much fuss. The method leans on slow simmering, which is what gives the finished dish its signature texture and depth.
The headline ingredients here are onion, carrot and celery. Spend a little time choosing well: fresher, more carefully-sourced versions of these will lift the whole plate, while every other element is mostly there to support them.
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280
kcal
12g
Protein
42g
Carbs
6g
Fat
Ingredients
- onion1
- carrot2
- celery2 stalks
- tomato400 g
- beans400 g
- pasta80 g
- stock1.5 L
- olive oil2 tbsp
Method
- 1Step 1 ~9 min
Sweat diced onion, carrot and celery in oil 8 min.
- 2Step 2 ~9 min
Add tomatoes and stock; simmer 15 min.
- 3Step 3 ~9 min
Stir in beans and pasta; cook until pasta is tender.
- 4Step 4 ~9 min
Season and finish with olive oil.
Per-step times are approximate and based on the total cook time of 35 minutes.
Pro tips & common mistakes
- Keep the pot at a lazy simmer, not a hard boil. Bubbles should break the surface slowly; aggressive boiling tightens proteins and muddies the sauce.
- Salt the pasta water generously and save a mug of the starchy cooking water before you drain — a splash thickens any sauce beautifully.
- Taste a small spoonful just before serving and adjust salt, acid (lemon or vinegar) and heat — that final balance check is what separates a good home cook from a great one.
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Frequently asked questions
- How long does Hearty Minestrone Soup take to cook?
- From prep to plate, Hearty Minestrone Soup takes about 35 minutes and yields 4 servings. About a third of that is hands-on; the rest is the cooking itself.
- Is Hearty Minestrone Soup vegetarian?
- Yes — this version of Hearty Minestrone Soup is fully vegetarian. If you want to make it vegan, swap any dairy or eggs for a plant-based equivalent of the same texture.
- What are the key ingredients in Hearty Minestrone Soup?
- The headline ingredients are onion, carrot, celery. The rest of the list is supporting cast — spices, aromatics and pantry staples — that round out the flavour rather than carry it.
- Can I scale this recipe up or down?
- Yes. The ingredient quantities scale linearly: halve for 2 servings or double for 8. Cooking times stay roughly the same, except for anything that depends on pan surface area — if you double a stir-fry, cook it in two batches rather than crowding the pan.
- How should I store the leftovers?
- Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently — low heat on the stove with a splash of water, or short bursts in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel so it does not dry out.
- Can I freeze Hearty Minestrone Soup?
- Yes. Cool fully, portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently; you may need a splash of water or stock to bring the sauce back to its original consistency.
- What should I serve with Hearty Minestrone Soup?
- Hearty Minestrone Soup pairs naturally with classic italian sides — a simple grain, a fresh salad, or a light pickle to cut through richness. Aim for something that contrasts the main dish in texture or temperature rather than echoing it.
- What if I do not have one of the main ingredients?
- Most ingredients in this recipe have sensible swaps. Match like-for-like by texture and cooking time and you will land somewhere close to the original.