Ultimate Hearty & Quick Vegetarian Minestrone Soup with Pasta
Craving a warm, comforting bowl of soup that’s both incredibly delicious and packed with wholesome goodness? Look no further than this delightful Italian-style filled minestrone soup with pasta! This isn’t just any minestrone; it’s a robust and satisfying meal, brimming with vibrant fresh tomatoes, a colorful array of vegetables, and perfectly cooked pasta. Best of all, it’s entirely vegetarian and can be on your table in a mere 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a speedy yet substantial lunch or a cozy family dinner.
Imagine the rich aromas filling your kitchen as you whip up this traditional Italian favorite, a recipe that tastes like it came straight from an Italian “mama” or “papa’s” kitchen. It’s a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something truly spectacular. Get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort that nourishes your body and soul!
It’s a good taste!
Why This Vegetarian Minestrone Will Become Your New Favorite
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this particular filled minestrone soup recipe. From its incredible flavor profile to its health benefits and sheer convenience, it ticks all the boxes for a perfect meal.
A True Taste of Italy in Every Spoonful
This recipe captures the essence of authentic Italian cuisine. Minestrone, at its heart, is a celebration of seasonal vegetables and fresh ingredients. Our version stays true to this tradition, utilizing ripe, juicy tomatoes and a classic aromatic base to create a rich, savory broth that’s deeply satisfying. The addition of pasta makes it a complete, hearty dish that feels both rustic and refined.
Packed with Nutritious Goodness
As a vegetarian soup, this minestrone is a powerhouse of nutrition. Fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and zucchini contribute essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, promoting overall well-being. Tomatoes add lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, while the vegetable broth keeps it light yet flavorful. It’s a fantastic way to boost your daily vegetable intake, making it a truly healthy soup recipe.
Your Go-To Quick & Easy Meal Solution
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to cook a wholesome meal can be a challenge. This fast soup recipe is a game-changer, requiring only 25 minutes from start to finish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Even novice cooks will find this recipe straightforward and rewarding, making it an easy vegetarian dinner recipe for anyone.
Hearty and Wonderfully Filling
Unlike some lighter soups, this “filled” minestrone lives up to its name. The generous amount of vegetables combined with the pasta ensures that each bowl is incredibly satisfying. It’s substantial enough to serve as a main course for dinner, leaving you feeling comfortably full without being overly heavy. It’s the ultimate comfort food that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, making it a great skinny soup option that doesn’t compromise on satiety.
The Enduring Charm of Minestrone: A Brief History
Minestrone is one of Italy’s most famous culinary exports, but its origins are rooted in humble beginnings. The word “minestrone” literally means a large soup, reflecting its nature as a substantial meal rather than a simple broth. Historically, minestrone was a peasant dish, born from the need to use whatever vegetables were in season and whatever leftover ingredients were available. This adaptability is key to its enduring popularity; there’s no single fixed recipe for minestrone, allowing for endless variations and creative combinations.
Over centuries, it evolved from a simple vegetable stew to the pasta-and-vegetable-rich soup we know and love today. Different regions of Italy boast their own unique versions, each reflecting local produce and culinary traditions. This recipe embraces that spirit, offering a fresh, modern take on a timeless classic, while staying true to the hearty, wholesome character that defines true Italian minestrone.
Mastering Your Minestrone: Key Ingredients & Smart Swaps
The beauty of minestrone lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes this soup shine and how you can tailor it to your taste.
- Fresh Tomatoes: The foundation of this soup’s flavor. Using fresh, ripe tomatoes, deseeded and cubed, brings a bright, natural sweetness and acidity that canned tomatoes often can’t replicate. If fresh tomatoes are out of season, high-quality canned diced tomatoes (drained) can be a good substitute, but fresh truly makes a difference here.
- A Medley of Vegetables: Our recipe calls for onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and zucchini – a classic Italian soffritto base combined with fresh additions. These vegetables provide a beautiful blend of textures and flavors. Feel free to customize! You can add spinach or kale for extra greens, green beans, peas, or even small potato cubes for more substance. The key is to add harder vegetables earlier and softer ones later to ensure even cooking and prevent mushiness.
- Pasta Perfection: Fusilli is an excellent choice for minestrone as its spiral shape holds the broth and small vegetable pieces beautifully. Other small pasta shapes like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or small shells also work wonderfully. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta. Remember to cook the pasta directly in the soup for extra flavor absorption.
- Rich Vegetable Broth: A good quality vegetable broth is crucial for a flavorful soup base. You can use store-bought or, for an even deeper taste, make your own homemade broth. Ensure it’s low in sodium so you can control the seasoning yourself.
- Parmesan Cheese: The final flourish! Freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, umami depth that elevates the entire dish. While the recipe includes it as an ingredient, a little extra for garnish is always a good idea. For a completely vegan version, simply omit the Parmesan or use a plant-based alternative.
- Aromatics and Seasoning: Olive oil, onion, and garlic form the aromatic backbone. Don’t underestimate their importance in building a complex flavor profile. Salt and pepper are your friends for seasoning – always taste and adjust to your preference. Fresh basil or oregano can be added at the end for an extra aromatic touch.
Tips for Achieving Minestrone Perfection
Even though this minestrone soup with pasta is incredibly simple, a few tips can help ensure your soup turns out perfectly every time.
- Uniform Vegetable Cuts: To ensure all vegetables cook evenly and the soup has a consistent texture, try to chop them into similar-sized pieces. For example, slicing carrots 1 cm thick and zucchini into ½ x ½ cm cubes ensures they finish cooking around the same time.
- Layering Flavors: Don’t rush the initial sautéing of the onion and garlic. Allowing them to become translucent and fragrant lays a vital flavor foundation. Similarly, briefly baking the tomatoes (even just for a minute as specified) helps to deepen their flavor and release their juices, contributing to a richer broth.
- Pasta Timing is Key: Adding the pasta in the last 5-7 minutes of cooking is crucial. This prevents it from becoming overcooked and mushy. Al dente pasta holds its shape and provides a pleasant texture contrast to the soft vegetables.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Broth can vary in sodium content, and your fresh ingredients might need a little extra seasoning to truly sing. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also add a subtle kick if you like a bit of heat.
- Make It Your Own: Minestrone is incredibly versatile. Feel free to add other vegetables you love or have on hand, such as cannellini beans for extra protein and fiber, or a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering.
Serving Your Delicious Minestrone
This hearty pasta soup is fantastic on its own, but a few simple additions can elevate your dining experience:
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: A sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese upon serving is a must for many! Its salty, nutty flavor beautifully complements the vegetables and broth.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of crusty Italian bread or a warm baguette for dipping into the rich broth. Garlic bread is another excellent choice.
- A Drizzle of Olive Oil: A finishing drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil can add a lovely richness and aroma.
- Fresh Herbs: A scattering of fresh basil or parsley leaves adds a burst of freshness and color.
Meal Prep and Storage for Later Enjoyment
This vegetarian minestrone soup is not only quick to make but also great for meal prepping. You can easily double the recipe to enjoy delicious leftovers throughout the week.
- Storage: Once cooled, transfer the soup to airtight containers and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Minestrone freezes beautifully, especially if the pasta is cooked slightly al dente. For best results, consider cooking the pasta separately or adding it fresh when reheating from frozen, as it can get a bit soft after freezing and thawing. Freeze in individual portions for easy lunches. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, or in the microwave, until heated through. If the soup has thickened, you might want to add a splash of vegetable broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Whether you’re looking for a fast dinner recipe, a healthy lunch option, or simply a comforting bowl of Italian goodness, this filled minestrone soup with pasta is sure to become a cherished recipe in your culinary repertoire. Enjoy the simplicity, the flavors, and the joy of a homemade meal!
Did you make this filled minestrone soup with pasta? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram or Twitter. I love it when you make one of my recipes and I’m looking forward to seeing your creations. You can also share your recipes on my Facebook channel or pin this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it easily next time. See you soon!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion , sliced thin
- 2 cloves garlic , sliced thin
- 400 grams tomatoes , fresh, washed, deseeded and cut in cubes
- 1 liter vegetable broth
- 50 gram fusilli
- 1 carrot , sliced 1 cm thick
- 50 gram Parmesan cheese, and extra for garnish
- 2 sticks celery, in small rings
- 1 zucchini , sliced in cubes ½ x ½ cm
- salt and pepper , at taste
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Pour the oil in a soup pan and heat on high heat.
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Add the onion and bake on medium heat until translucent.
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Add the garlic and stir-fry 30 seconds.
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Turn the heat low add the tomatoes and bake (with the pan covered) for 1 minute.
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Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
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Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
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Add the fusilli, carrot, Parmesan cheese and celery and simmer for 5 minutes.
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Add the zucchini and simmer for another 5 minutes on low heat.
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Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve (serve with fresh Parmesan cheese which can be added at taste)
Nutrition
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