Italian Restaurant Minestrone Soup 🍲🇮🇹

This hearty and vibrant minestrone soup brings the warm flavors of Italy right into your kitchen! Packed with colorful vegetables, beans, and pasta, it’s both nourishing and satisfying. Not only is this recipe incredibly versatile, but it can also be made ahead of time and freezes beautifully. Serve it with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a slice of crusty Italian bread for a truly delightful meal! 🥖🧀

Ingredients

For the Soup Base

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 oz) cannellini or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Finish

• 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or elbow macaroni)
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.

🥄 Stir continuously to prevent the vegetables from browning too much. The goal is to soften them to enhance their natural sweetness.

• Add the minced garlic, zucchini, bell pepper, and green beans. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, then add the rinsed beans, oregano, basil, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

🧂 Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Remember, you can always add more salt, but you can't take it away!

• Once simmering, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.

• Stir in the fresh spinach or kale and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until just wilted.

• Remove the bay leaf and stir in the lemon juice for a bright finish.

🍋 The lemon juice adds a nice brightness to the soup; you can adjust the quantity based on your preference for tanginess!

• Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Variations

• Gluten-free: Substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta or omitting it entirely for a low-carb option.
• Protein-packed: Add cooked chicken, turkey, or sausage for extra protein and heartiness. Just cook the meat beforehand and stir it in at the end.
• Vegan: Omit the cheese and replace it with a vegan Parmesan alternative or no cheese at all for a lighter dish.
• Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes during the sautéing phase for a little heat!

With its myriad of ingredients and flavors, this Italian Restaurant Minestrone Soup is sure to warm your soul and fill your belly! Enjoy it as an appetizer or a main dish—either way, your taste buds will thank you! 🌟