Hearty Minestrone Soup
A comforting, nutrient-packed soup made with seasonal vegetables and legumes. This italian-inspired beef (vegetarian) ready in about 75 minutes pairs canned diced tomatoes, drained canned kidney beans, drained canned corn for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 15 oz, drained canned kidney beans
- 15 oz, drained canned corn
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 1 medium, diced onions
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups broth
- 1 cup, small shapes pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced celery stalks, 2 diced carrots, and 1 cup cooked pasta (reserve 1/2 cup pasta water). Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz canned kidney beans, 15 oz canned corn, 4 cups broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 4: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Minestrone Soup take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 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 Hearty 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 canned diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty 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 Hearty 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 Hearty 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 45-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.