Description
Warm, vibrant, and packed with flavor, this Easy & Healthy Minestrone Soup is a cozy one-pot meal made with fresh vegetables, hearty white beans, and tender pasta. It’s perfect for a quick dinner, healthy lunch, or meal prep—comforting, nourishing, and family-friendly.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 zucchini, diced
1 cup green beans, chopped
1 can (about 14–15 oz) tomatoes with juice
1 can (about 15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup small pasta (ditalini, elbows, small shells, etc.)
1 cup baby spinach or kale
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for serving)
Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté 5–6 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add zucchini and green beans. Cook 2–3 minutes.
4. Pour in tomatoes (with juice), white beans, vegetable broth, water, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until veggies are tender.
6. Stir in pasta and simmer 8–10 minutes, until pasta is just al dente.
7. Add spinach or kale and cook 1–2 minutes until wilted.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with parsley and optional Parmesan.
Notes
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta, or swap pasta for cooked rice.
Dairy-free/vegan: Skip Parmesan or use dairy-free cheese.
Meal prep tip: If storing longer, cook pasta separately and add when reheating to prevent it from getting too soft.
Freezer-friendly: Freeze the soup without pasta for best texture; add freshly cooked pasta after reheating.
Spice level: Keep it mild by skipping red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg