Best 10 Homemade Minestrone Recipes

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**Minestrone: A Hearty and Flavorful Italian Soup**

Originating from humble beginnings in Italy, minestrone is a hearty and flavorful soup that has become a beloved dish around the world. This versatile soup is characterized by its colorful array of vegetables, beans, and pasta, all simmered in a rich, flavorful broth. Variations of minestrone abound, each region and family boasting their own unique recipe. From the classic version featuring fresh summer vegetables to hearty winter iterations laden with root vegetables and beans, minestrone offers a comforting and delicious meal for any occasion. Enjoy this culinary journey as we delve into the diverse world of minestrone recipes, exploring the distinct flavors and ingredients that make each variation a culinary masterpiece.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP



Classic Minestrone Soup image

Minestrone is a hearty, traditional Italian soup typically made with beans, pasta and lots of vegetables. Enjoy the slow-cooked flavor in just about 30 minutes.

Provided by College Inn® Broths and Stocks

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     College Inn® Broths and Stocks

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup diced onion
¾ cup diced carrot
¾ cup sliced celery
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 (15 ounce) can Contadina® Tomato Sauce
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups College Inn® Chicken Broth
1 cup diced zucchini
½ cup dry ditalini pasta
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 teaspoon Shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook onion, carrot, celery, garlic and rosemary until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, beans and 2 1/2 cups water. Add broth, zucchini, pasta and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in parsley. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese and additional parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.3 calories, Carbohydrate 38.6 g, Cholesterol 0.3 mg, Fat 4.8 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 9.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 1220.5 mg, Sugar 5.9 g

CONTEST-WINNING EASY MINESTRONE



Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone image

This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it's one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it's full of nutrition and low in fat. -Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 1h5m

Yield 11 servings (2-3/4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 large carrots, diced
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni
11 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, saute the carrots, celery and onion in oil and butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the broth, tomato sauce, beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, cabbage, basil, parsley, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add macaroni; cook, uncovered, 6-8 minutes or until macaroni and vegetables are tender., Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with cheese. Freeze option: Before adding cheese, freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 443mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

THE BEST MINESTRONE



The Best Minestrone image

While it's positively packed with vegetables, this soup is still hearty and filling. We rendered the fat from pancetta and used it to cook the vegetables to add more depth of flavor. The addition of white beans and pasta help make it a meal.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
3 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 large celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely grated
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces small Yukon potatoes, quartered
1 large zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
One 14-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
4 cups packed curly kale leaves, torn
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans plus liquid
1/2 cup dry ditalini or other small pasta shape
Grated Parmesan, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the meat is golden brown on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the pancetta with a slotted spoon to a large bowl, leaving the fat in the pot.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the potatoes and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Return the pancetta to the pot, stir in the tomatoes and 8 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Add the kale, beans and their liquid and pasta and continue to cook until the pasta is cooked through and the kale is tender, about 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and season with more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve with grated Parmesan.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE



Classic Minestrone image

This famous Italian soup has been much imitated around the world with very different results. The homemade version is a delicious revelation and is also extremely healthy, as it has pasta, beans and fresh vegetables. Try to make the minestrone a day early and refrigerate as this improves the flavors. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Provided by Anonymous

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Vegetable Soup Recipes     Minestrone

Time 1h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 leek, sliced
2 carrots, chopped
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
4 ounces green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 ½ quarts vegetable stock
1 pound chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, with liquid
¼ cup elbow macaroni
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Add leek, carrots, zucchini, green beans and celery. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
  • Stir in the stock, tomatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil, then replace the lid, and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the cannellini beans with liquid and pasta. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Carbohydrate 44.5 g, Fat 12 g, Fiber 10.1 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 470.9 mg, Sugar 7.8 g

EASY MINESTRONE



Easy Minestrone image

I wanted a soup recipe that I could make with staples that I always have on hand. This has become a family favorite so I always make enough to freeze. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Provided by Luhoney

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Vegetable Soup Recipes     Minestrone

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped, or more to taste
2 onions, chopped
5 carrots, sliced
4 cups chicken broth
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with garlic and oregano
½ cup red wine
1 (16 ounce) package frozen green beans
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup seashell pasta, or more to taste
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Cook and stir garlic in hot oil until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion; cook and stir until slightly softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in carrots until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into onion mixture; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Add red wine, reduce heat to low, and stir green beans, pinto beans, spinach, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper into broth mixture. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook seashell pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and stir pasta into soup. Ladle soup into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.3 g, Cholesterol 2.2 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 388.1 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

SLOW-COOKER MINESTRONE



Slow-Cooker Minestrone image

There's nothing quite like the comfort of warm homemade soup, and it's even better when your slow cooker does most of the work for you! This slow-cooker minestrone is easy to put together but has all the flavor of a high-effort dish. -Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 6h50m

Yield 12 servings (4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 carton (32 ounces) vegetable or chicken stock
3 cups V8 or tomato juice
2 cups water
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) cut green beans, drained
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 cup uncooked ditalini or other small pasta
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Combine the first 13 ingredients in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in beans, zucchini and pasta. Cook, covered, on high about 30 minutes longer, until pasta is tender. Discard bay leaves. If desired, top with grated Parmesan cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 165 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 813mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE



Classic Minestrone image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup great northern beans, soaked
1 bay leaf
Sprig of thyme
4 cups beef stock
Rind of a piece of Parmesan cheese-optional
2 cups Italian canned tomatoes and their juice
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups diced potatoes
2 cups zucchini, diced
2 cups shredded savoy cabbage
1 cup small pasta shells
Pesto, for serving

Steps:

  • In a casserole heat the olive oil. Add the onions and cook until golden, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then add the carrots and celery and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the beans, bay leaf and thyme and toss for 1 minute. Then add the beef stock, Parmesan rind (if using), plum tomatoes and their juice, and salt and pepper to taste. (Careful with the amount of salt since Parmesan rind will add a salty flavor.) Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Add the potatoes, zucchini and savoy cabbage and cook for 20 minutes more or until the vegetables are tender. Finally, add your pasta and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, ladle into bowls and serve with some pesto.

MINESTRONE



Minestrone image

Vegetables and herbs fresh from my garden make this one of our favorite soups. This recipe makes a lot, so it's perfect for large gatherings or to freeze in smaller containers for fast meals.-Virginia Bauer, Botkins, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 1h50m

Yield 20 servings (5 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 cups coarsely chopped onions
1 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup canola oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 cups beef broth
2 cups chopped tomatoes or 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
2 cups coarsely chopped cabbage
1 cup sliced fresh carrots
2 teaspoons dried basil or Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1-1/2 cups sliced zucchini
1 cup cut fresh green beans
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup uncooked ditalini or 4 ounces spaghetti, broken into 3-inch pieces
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a stockpot, saute the onions, celery and parsley in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, cabbage, carrots, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour. , In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir into soup along with the zucchini, beans and pasta. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables and pasta are tender. Top each serving with cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 209 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 26mg cholesterol, Sodium 538mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

HOMEMADE MINESTRONE



Homemade Minestrone image

Make and share this Homemade Minestrone recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Tim Danielson

Categories     Vegetable

Time 1h10m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 beef shanks (about 1 lb.)
1 tablespoon olive oil or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 garlic clove (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons chopped onions
2 romaine leaves (torn into bite size pieces)
2 large cabbage leaves, red (coarsely chopped)
1 medium baking potato (by this I assume they mean russets or some other brown potato)
1 medium carrot, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
4 quarts water
1/2 cup dried split peas
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper (I prefer freshly ground if possible)
2 medium stalk celery (about 1 cup)
2 pear shaped tomatoes, chopped (by this I assume they meant Roma tomatoes)
1 bay leaf
1 cup uncooked rotini pasta

Steps:

  • Remove bones and fat from beef shanks, then cut into 1 inch pieces. Heat oil in 6 quart Dutch Oven, using medium heat. Cook beef, onion and garlic in oil, stirring frequently until beef is light brown. Stir in romaine, cabbage, Potatoe, and carrot. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until romaine is wilted. Stir in remaining ingredients except rotini. Heat to boiling; Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 40 minutes. Stir in rotini and simmer 10 minutes or until rotini is tender. Remove bay leaf.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161, Fat 2.6, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 913.8, Carbohydrate 28.9, Fiber 8.2, Sugar 5, Protein 7.6

HOMEMADE MINESTRONE SOUP



Homemade Minestrone Soup image

A favorite soup at our house! DH is so happy every time I make this, and that is saying alot, because he is not a "soup man"! This is easy, and healthy! Besides that, it smells soooo good, your neighbors might just drop in to see what's cooking!!

Provided by silly sally

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 3h30m

Yield 3 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 lb stew meat, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons oil
8 cups water
2 (10 1/2 ounce) cans beef bouillon
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can whole tomatoes
1 (10 ounce) package frozen green beans
1 cup diced carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup chopped cabbage
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1 small zucchini, cut into bite-sized pieces
grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large sucepan, brown the meat in oil.
  • Add water, bouillon, salt and pepper.
  • Cover and bring to boil.
  • Reduce hear and allow to simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
  • Add next 7 ingredients.
  • Stir well and heat.
  • Add garlic powder.
  • Cover pan and simmer 20 - 25 minutes.
  • Stir in zucchini, cabbage and macaroni.
  • Cook for 15 minutes or until macaroni is tender.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  • Serve piping hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 853.3, Fat 40.3, SaturatedFat 13.5, Cholesterol 101.3, Sodium 3969.3, Carbohydrate 71.7, Fiber 15, Sugar 13.2, Protein 53

Tips:

  • Use a variety of vegetables. The more colorful your minestrone, the more nutritious it will be. Some good choices include carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different beans and pasta. There are many different types of beans and pasta that can be used in minestrone, so feel free to experiment until you find a combination that you like.
  • Add some greens to your minestrone. Greens like kale, spinach, or chard can add a boost of nutrients and flavor to your soup.
  • Make a big batch of minestrone and freeze it for later. Minestrone is a great soup to make ahead of time, and it freezes well. This way, you can always have a healthy and delicious meal on hand.
  • Serve minestrone with a side of crusty bread or a salad. Minestrone is a hearty soup that can be served as a main course or as a side dish. If you're serving it as a main course, pair it with a side of crusty bread or a salad.

Conclusion:

Minestrone is a delicious and versatile soup that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, and it's also a good source of protein and fiber. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or a hearty and satisfying soup to warm you up on a cold day, minestrone is a great choice.

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