Bring the heartwarming comfort of a classic Italian restaurant right into your home with this vibrant, vegetable-packed Minestrone soup. This one-pot wonder features a medley of tender carrots, zucchini, celery, and onions simmered in a savory, tomato-based herb broth with fiber-rich beans and pasta. It is a wholesome, budget-friendly meal that is both deeply satisfying and incredibly easy to prepare for a busy weeknight. Perfectly balanced and full of color, this recipe captures the iconic restaurant flavor that will make any family gathering feel special.
2 medium carrots, diced
2 small zucchinis, diced
1/2 large yellow onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup small shell pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste, oregano, basil, and thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the vegetable broth and the canned diced tomatoes with their juices.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then add the zucchini, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans.
Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the pasta and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.
For the best texture, cook the pasta separately and add it to individual bowls before pouring the soup over it if you plan on having leftovers, as the pasta can soak up the broth over time. You can also add fresh spinach at the very end for extra color and nutrition.
Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/minestrone-soup-olive-garden-copycat/