Easy Stovetop Minestrone Soup

This hearty Minestrone Soup is loaded with fresh veggies, tender pasta, and savory beans in a rich, flavorful broth. It’s comfort food at its finest and tastes way better than Olive Garden!

This easy hearty soup takes only 30 minutes to prep, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Serve it up with a crusty side of bread and make it a meal.

Close up image of minestrone soup in bowl.

Ingredients

Ingredients for minestrone soup in small bowls on counter.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup onion, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

1 cup celery, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 large zucchini, sliced and quartered 

28 ounces diced tomatoes

15 ounces cannellini beans

8 cups vegetable broth

½ teaspoon oregano

½ teaspoon basil

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 ½ cups ditalini pasta

2 cups chopped spinach 

Step by Step Instructions

Onions, carrots and celery in cooking pot.

STEP ONE – Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.

STEP TWO – Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Pasta is added to the pot.

STEP THREE – Add the zucchini, diced tomatoes (with juices), cannellini beans, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

Zucchini tomatoes and broth are added to the vegetable mixture.

STEP FOUR – Once boiling, stir in the ditalini pasta. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.

Spinach is added to the soup in pot.

STEP FIVE – Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until wilted.

Minestrone soup in pot.

Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm.

Scoop of minestrone soup removed from pot.

FAQs

Great Northern beans, navy beans, or even kidney beans are good substitutes.

Yes, frozen vegetables like green beans, peas, or mixed veggies can be added—just stir them in with the zucchini and cook until heated through.

Minestrone soup in three bowls ready to eat.

Storage Instructions

Let the minestrone soup cool to room temperature, then store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 4–5 days.

Print
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Close up image of minestrone soup in bowl.

Easy Stovetop Minestrone Soup


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  • Author: Sandra Flegg
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Description

This hearty Minestrone Soup is loaded with fresh veggies, tender pasta, and savory beans in a rich, flavorful broth. It’s comfort food at its finest and tastes way better than Olive Garden!


Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup onion, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

1 cup celery, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 large zucchini, sliced and quartered

28 ounces diced tomatoes

15 ounces cannellini beans

8 cups vegetable broth

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 cups ditalini pasta

2 cups chopped spinach


Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.
  2. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the zucchini, diced tomatoes (with juices), cannellini beans, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, stir in the ditalini pasta. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
  5. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm.

    Storage Instructions: Let the minestrone soup cool to room temperature, then store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 4–5 days.

Notes

Ingredients Notes:

Use any small pasta like elbow macaroni or small shells if you don’t have ditalini on hand.

For a heartier soup, add an extra can of beans or some leftover cooked chicken.

If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the broth by 1-2 cups or let it simmer longer to concentrate the flavors.

Frozen spinach can be used—just add ½ cup and let it heat through.

If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.

This recipe works well with other vegetables like green beans, peas, or corn—add them with the zucchini.

Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried—swap in about 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh oregano and basil.

To make it gluten-free, swap the ditalini for your favorite gluten-free pasta.

Storage Instructions: Let the minestrone soup cool to room temperature, then store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 4–5 days.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

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