Classic Minestrone Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty vegetable and bean soup with pasta and fresh herbs, ideal for chilly days. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained cannellini beans, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 diced zucchini, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup small pasta shapes and 2 cups fresh spinach. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the spinach has wilted completely.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Minestrone Soup take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Classic 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Classic 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 Classic 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.

What goes well with Classic Minestrone Soup?

Italian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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