Ma's Minestrone

Warm, hearty, and brimming with nourishing veggies, Ma’s Minestrone is the ultimate comfort food for any season. This classic Italian-inspired soup is a colorful medley of fresh ingredients like zucchini, spinach, and carrots, paired with wholesome beans, tender pasta, and fragrant Italian herbs. Simmered in a rich vegetable broth with a touch of garlic and a hint of parmesan (optional but irresistible), this one-pot wonder is both satisfying and healthy. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep, this approachable recipe takes just 20 minutes to prep and serves up to six people. Whether you're seeking a flavorful vegetarian meal or a wholesome weeknight option, Ma’s Minestrone delivers a bowl of nostalgia and nourishment every time.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and chopped
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup dried pasta (small shapes like ditalini or elbow)
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced zucchini, canned diced tomatoes (with juice), and vegetable broth.

Step 5

Stir in the kidney beans, cannellini beans, green beans, Italian seasoning, and the bay leaf.

Step 6

Season with salt and black pepper to taste and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Add the dried pasta and simmer for another 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.

Step 9

Stir in the baby spinach and cook for 2 more minutes, until wilted.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 11

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4273.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2927.6

Total Fat 95.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 32.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.3g
Cholesterol 71.4mg	0%
Sodium 7912.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 389.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 86.2g	0%
Total Sugars 70.1g
Protein 148.3g	0%

Vitamin D 47.6IU	0%
Calcium 2256.1mg	0%
Iron 31.8mg	0%
Potassium 9059.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.6%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 51.7%