Melissa's Minute Minestrone

Bursting with hearty vegetables and wholesome ingredients, Melissa's Minute Minestrone is your go-to recipe for a quick and delicious soup that tastes like it simmered all day. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting one-pot wonder features a medley of fresh zucchini, carrots, and baby spinach paired with tender pasta and protein-packed kidney beans in a flavorful tomato and vegetable broth. Seasoned with aromatic basil and oregano, this classic Italian-inspired soup is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. Whether served with crusty bread or topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this vibrant and nutritious minestrone is a surefire hit for the whole family.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 can canned diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup small pasta (e.g., elbow macaroni or ditalini)
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0 grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and diced zucchini, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 4

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, and stir to combine.

Step 5

Add the kidney beans, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil.

Step 6

Once boiling, add the pasta and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook according to the pasta package instructions (typically 7-10 minutes).

Step 7

Stir in the baby spinach during the last 2 minutes of cooking to wilt it.

Step 8

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 9

Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2513.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2047.0

Total Fat 44.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.5g
Cholesterol 4mg	0%
Sodium 5913.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 340.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.6g	0%
Total Sugars 47.2g
Protein 80.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 630.8mg	0%
Iron 20.8mg	0%
Potassium 5399.6mg	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: 19.0%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 65.4%