Best Vegetable Minestrone Soup
A hearty, flavorful soup packed with seasonal vegetables and a rich tomato base that's simply best. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs diced carrots, diced celery, diced zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced zucchini
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can drained cannellini beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup ditalini pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced carrots and 1 cup diced celery, then sauté for 5 minutes until softened and slightly golden, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup diced zucchini and 4 cups chicken broth, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can drained cannellini beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, and 1/2 cup ditalini pasta. Simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- Step 4: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil until fragrant and vibrant green.
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with extra basil and a drizzle of olive oil, when soup has thickened and vegetables are tender but not mushy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Vegetable Minestrone Soup take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Vegetable Minestrone Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Vegetable Minestrone Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Vegetable Minestrone Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Best Vegetable Minestrone Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
