As the seasons change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of soup. This ultimate minestrone recipe is perfect for crockpot lovers who crave hearty, nutritious meals with minimal effort. Packed with colorful vegetables, tender beans, and savory herbs, this soup is a delicious way to nourish both body and soul. Let your crockpot do the work and enjoy a taste of Italy in your own home.
Steps
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, chopped carrots, sliced celery, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften.
- Stir in grated garlic, diced tomatoes, white or kidney beans, green beans, vegetable broth, bay leaves, oregano, and thyme. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add small pasta to the pot and cook, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes until the pasta is tender. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 ribs of celery, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus extra to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cloves of garlic, grated
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1½ cups cooked white beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup chopped green beans
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¾ cup small pasta, such as elbows, shells, orecchiette
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
FAQ
- Can I customize the ingredients in this minestrone soup recipe?
- Absolutely! Minestrone soup is incredibly versatile. You can swap out the celery for chopped fennel, or replace green beans with zucchini, yellow squash, or a combination of these. In the summer, fresh Roma tomatoes can substitute canned ones, and you can add fresh greens like spinach or kale towards the end of cooking.
- How can I make this soup ahead of time without the pasta getting mushy?
- If you’re preparing the soup in advance, it’s best to cook the pasta separately and add it to the soup right before serving. Alternatively, you can omit the pasta and add an extra cup of beans instead, which will allow the soup to keep well for up to four days in the fridge.
- What are some vegan alternatives for garnishing the soup?
- If you prefer a vegan garnish, you can skip the Parmesan cheese and use vegan pesto instead. Regular pesto is also a delicious topping for non-vegan versions. Fresh parsley and red pepper flakes are excellent additions as well.
- What can I serve with minestrone soup to make it a complete meal?
- Crusty bread pairs wonderfully with minestrone soup, making it a satisfying meal. You can also complement the soup with a side salad, such as an arugula, beet, or pear salad.
- Is it possible to use homemade vegetable broth for this recipe?
- Yes, you can certainly use homemade vegetable broth in place of store-bought. If you cook your own beans, you can also use the aromatic cooking liquid instead of some or all of the vegetable broth in the soup.
Tips
- To prevent the pasta from soaking up too much broth when making the soup in advance, cook the pasta separately and add it just before serving, or omit it altogether and use extra beans for a thicker consistency.
- Customize your minestrone by swapping out ingredients based on what’s available; for example, use chopped fennel instead of celery or replace green beans with zucchini or squash.
- Enhance the soup’s flavor by stirring in fresh greens like spinach or kale towards the end of cooking time, or by topping each bowl with vegan pesto or regular pesto for a non-vegan option.
- Complement your minestrone soup with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal, or pair it with a simple salad like arugula, beet, or pear salad for added freshness.
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven – Essential for cooking the soup.
- Garlic Press – Useful for grating garlic cloves.
- Vegetable Peeler – Handy for preparing carrots and other vegetables.
- Fine Mesh Sieve or Colander – Useful for draining and rinsing canned beans.
- Cheese Grater – For grating Parmesan cheese, if using.
