The Heartwarming Minestrone Soup Recipe Every Family Loves

Hearty minestrone soup beckons with its robust Italian charm and nourishing ingredients.

Colorful vegetables dance through a rich broth, creating a symphony of flavors.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic comfort dish.

Mediterranean traditions whisper through each spoonful, promising warmth and satisfaction.

Seasonal produce becomes the star of this simple yet magical recipe.

Nutritious and filling, this soup turns an ordinary meal into a delightful culinary adventure.

You will love how quickly it comes together in your kitchen.

Why Nigella Minestrone Soup Is Comfort in a Bowl

• Create Veggie-Packed Goodness: This minestrone soup delivers a powerful punch of vegetables, helping you boost daily nutrition with every spoonful.
• Master One-Pot Wonder: Prepare a complete meal using just a single pot, minimizing kitchen cleanup and saving precious cooking time.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with colorful vegetables and hearty beans, this soup appeals to all ages, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients based on what's available in your kitchen, making this recipe incredibly flexible and adaptable to your preferences.

Ingredients List for Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Onion: A foundational aromatic that provides depth of flavor to the soup.
• Garlic: Adds a sharp, pungent taste that enhances the overall soup profile.
• Carrots: Contributes natural sweetness and vibrant color to the minestrone.
• Celery: Provides a subtle, fresh flavor and crisp texture to the soup.
• Zucchini: Adds a mild, tender vegetable element to the soup.
• Green Beans: Introduces a fresh, green component with a slight crunch.

• Vegetable Broth: Creates the liquid foundation for the soup.
• Tomatoes: Offers a tangy, rich base that gives the soup its classic flavor.

• Cannellini Beans: Provides creamy texture and plant-based protein to the soup.
• Macaroni: Adds substance and makes the soup more filling.

• Basil, Oregano, Thyme: Herbs that contribute authentic Italian seasoning.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's overall taste.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish to the soup.

How to Prepare Nigella’s Classic Minestrone Soup

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Heat a large pot over medium flame and pour in olive oil. Gently sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delightful aroma.

Step 2: Introduce Colorful Vegetables

• Carrots
• Celery
• Zucchini
• Green beans

Sauté these vegetables for about 5 minutes, allowing them to soften and develop a rich flavor.

Step 3: Create the Soup Base

Pour in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir the mixture gently to combine all the ingredients and create a delicious foundation for your soup.

Step 4: Boost Flavor and Simmer

• Cannellini beans
• Fresh basil
• Dried oregano
• Thyme

Let the soup simmer quietly for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Add Pasta and Finish Cooking

Introduce macaroni to the simmering soup. Cook until the pasta becomes tender and perfectly al dente, which typically takes about 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 6: Season to Perfection

Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. Give the soup a final gentle stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a few torn basil leaves for an extra burst of flavor and elegance.

Handy Tips for the Best Minestrone Soup by Nigella

• Boost Veggie Texture: Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent bite in every spoonful.
• Control Soup Consistency: Add extra broth if soup becomes too thick during simmering to maintain desired liquid level.
• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Add macaroni during final 8-10 minutes of cooking to keep pasta perfectly al dente and prevent mushiness.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Roast vegetables before adding to soup for a richer, more caramelized taste profile.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare soup a day in advance, as flavors develop and intensify overnight in the refrigerator.

Tasty Twists for Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Protein Power Boost: Replace cannellini beans with cooked chicken or ground turkey for a meatier version.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap macaroni with quinoa or gluten-free pasta to make the soup celiac-friendly.
• Vegan Transformation: Use plant-based broth, eliminate Parmesan, and add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Incorporate diced green chilies, cumin, and chili powder to give the soup a zesty southwestern profile.

Best Sides to Enjoy with Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, acidic Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the soup's vegetable-rich profile and cut through its hearty texture.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Serve with rustic sourdough or Italian ciabatta bread to soak up the flavorful broth and add delightful textural contrast to each spoonful.
• Herb-Infused Olive Oil Drizzle: Create a finishing touch by drizzling high-quality extra virgin olive oil infused with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme over the soup for an elevated Mediterranean flavor experience.
• Fresh Parmesan Cheese Topping: Sprinkle generously aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top to add a salty, nutty depth that enhances the soup's complex vegetable layers.

Storing Nigella Minestrone Soup the Smart Way

• Store cooled soup in airtight container for 3-4 days in refrigerator. Ensure soup is completely cool before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months. Label container with date and contents.
• Pour soup into microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Check temperature before serving.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of vegetable broth if soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and temperature reaches 165°F.

Common Questions About Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Is minestrone soup healthy?

Yes, it’s packed with vegetables, beans, and herbs, providing fiber, vitamins, and protein. It’s a nutritious, low-calorie meal that supports overall wellness.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! This recipe is already vegetarian. To make it vegan, simply omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative when serving.

• How can I make the soup more filling?

Add more protein-rich ingredients like quinoa, lentils, or extra beans. You can also include diced potatoes or increase the amount of pasta to create a heartier soup.

Minestrone Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 113 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty minestrone soup delivers a rustic Italian comfort packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta in a rich tomato broth. Nourishing ingredients blend seamlessly, offering you a warm culinary embrace that satisfies and delights with each spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green beans
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Tomatoes and Beans:

• 28 ounces (794 grams) diced tomatoes
• 14 ounces (397 grams) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth

Herbs, Spices, and Pasta:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup (240 grams) elbow macaroni
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, for garnish
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, gently sautéing aromatic onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
2. Introduce chopped carrots, crisp celery, tender zucchini, and vibrant green beans into the pot, allowing vegetables to soften and release their natural flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
3. Pour in diced tomatoes and rich vegetable broth, creating a robust liquid base for the soup.
4. Incorporate protein-packed cannellini beans and a harmonious blend of dried herbs – basil, oregano, and thyme – then reduce heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 20 minutes to develop deep, complex flavors.
5. Carefully add macaroni pasta and continue cooking until noodles reach perfect al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes.
6. Elevate the soup’s taste profile by seasoning with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal preference.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into warm bowls, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and delicate basil leaves for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Boost vegetable nutrition by adding extra seasonal veggies like spinach, kale, or butternut squash for varied textures and flavor profiles.
• Swap macaroni with gluten-free pasta or quinoa to make the soup celiac-friendly and increase protein content.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium vegetable broth and reducing added salt, ideal for heart-healthy diets.
• Enhance soup’s richness by roasting vegetables before adding them to the pot, which deepens the overall flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 103 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg