Shell Minestrone

Warm up with a comforting bowl of Shell Minestrone, a hearty and vibrant Italian-inspired soup that's brimming with flavor and nourishment. This recipe combines tender small pasta shells, a medley of aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, zucchini, and sweet yellow onion, and protein-packed cannellini beans, all simmered in a savory vegetable broth infused with dried basil and oregano. The addition of baby spinach adds a fresh, leafy touch, while optional parmesan and parsley elevate each spoonful with irresistible richness. Ready in just 50 minutes, this one-pot wonder is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner. Serve it with crusty bread for a wholesome meal that's as satisfying as it is delicious. With keywords like "hearty minestrone soup," "small pasta shells soup," and "one-pot vegetable soup," this recipe is a search-friendly solution for comfort food cravings.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 2 medium, diced celery stalks
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 small, diced zucchini
• 1 14-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained canned cannellini beans
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup dried small pasta shells
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon (adjust to taste) black pepper
• 0.25 cup, grated (optional, for serving) parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional, for garnish) fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced zucchini, canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), and rinsed cannellini beans to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat to a simmer.

Step 7

Simmer the soup for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Add the small pasta shells to the pot and simmer for another 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.

Step 9

Stir in the baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes, just until wilted.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper, if needed.

Step 11

Serve the Shell Minestrone hot, garnished with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3453.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2468.3

Total Fat 66.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.6g
Cholesterol 30.2mg	0%
Sodium 9503.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 384.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 67.8g	0%
Total Sugars 69.6g
Protein 96.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1163.0mg	0%
Iron 25.5mg	0%
Potassium 7136.1mg	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: 23.7%

Protein: 15.3%

Carbs: 61.0%