Tomato Basil Minestrone Soup
A vibrant, chunky soup packed with seasonal vegetables, beans, and pasta, simmered in a rich tomato broth with fresh basil for a bright, satisfying bowl. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs medium (diced) carrots, stalks (diced) celery, (diced) onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 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
- 3 medium (diced) carrots
- 2 stalks (diced) celery
- 2 (diced) onions
- 3 (minced) garlic cloves
- 4 (diced) tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) (drained and rinsed) kidney beans
- 1 can (15 oz) (drained and rinsed) cannellini beans
- 1/2 cup (small shapes) pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh basil
- 1/4 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 diced onions. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds. Add 4 diced tomatoes, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can cannellini beans, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup small pasta shapes and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Ladle into bowls, top with 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tomato Basil Minestrone Soup take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Tomato Basil 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 medium (diced) carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato Basil 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 Tomato Basil 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 Tomato Basil 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
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
