Garden-Fresh Tomato & Zucchini Minestrone Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty vegetable soup simmered with garden-harvested tomatoes, zucchini, and beans in a fragrant herb broth. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs diced tomatoes, diced zucchini, diced carrots 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: 30 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 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 cups diced tomatoes, 1 cup diced zucchini, 1/2 cup diced carrots, and 1/2 cup diced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 cups chicken broth, 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained white beans, 1 tbsp chopped dill, 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra dill.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garden-Fresh Tomato & Zucchini Minestrone Soup take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Garden-Fresh Tomato & Zucchini 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 tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garden-Fresh Tomato & Zucchini 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 Garden-Fresh Tomato & Zucchini 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 Garden-Fresh Tomato & Zucchini 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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