Tomato-Basil Minestrone Soup
A hearty, vegetable-packed soup with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and a splash of lemon for a bright, refreshing Italian staple. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs diced Carrots, stalks, diced Celery, diced Cucumbers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2, diced Carrots
- 2 stalks, diced Celery
- 1, diced Cucumbers
- 1 cup, diced Zucchini
- 4 cups, diced Tomatoes
- 1, diced Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1/2 cup, small shapes Pasta
- 1/4 cup, chopped Basil
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 cup diced zucchini, and 1 cup diced cucumbers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 cups chicken broth, and 4 cups diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup small pasta shapes and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped basil and 1 tbsp lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, optionally with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of Parmesan.
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 70 minutes (25 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 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 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 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
