Saturday, February 7, 2026
HomeCookingGrandma's Do-it-yourself Minestrone Soup

Grandma’s Do-it-yourself Minestrone Soup


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This traditional Minestrone Soup recipe comes straight from my grandma’s cookbook. It’s made with easy greens, hearty beans, and a wealthy, slow-simmered broth. It’s heat, acquainted, and deeply nostalgic.

It is a recipe you’d anticipate from an Italian Nonna! (though my grandma isn’t Italian). Good for chilly nights, Sunday dinners, or anytime you’re craving a very home made minestrone that’s timeless.

White ceramic bowl filled with classic Minestrone soup, featuring a colorful blend of vegetables in a rich tomato broth.

Yearly we’d go to my grandma, who grew to become a widow far too early. It all the time made me unhappy to understand how a lot she was alone, however gathering round her desk introduced a lot gentle and pleasure into her eyes I knew she can be okay. Within the winter, she virtually all the time made a Minestrone Soup with pasta or potatoes. The home felt cozier when it was on the range, and also you had been engulfed with the odor it as quickly as you walked in.

She served it with garlic knots and salad, and we’d dip the bread straight into the soup, letting it absorb the nice and cozy broth earlier than taking a chew. It’s often laborious to get youngsters excited a couple of bowl stuffed with greens and beans, however this soup is completely different. We all the time completed it, and more often than not went again for seconds. Even now, Minestrone jogs my memory of sitting at her kitchen desk.

Overhead view of Minestrone soup in a white ceramic bowl, highlighting the chunky vegetables and comforting texture.

Elements for Minestrone Soup

Grandma’s recipes are ALWAYS higher! This Minestrone Soup isn’t any exception. Filled with greens, beans, and savory seasonings, these substances come collectively to create this traditional flavorful soup!

Soup Base

  • Olive Oil: Creates the bottom for sautéing and helps develop taste from the very first step.
  • Onion: Provides sweetness and depth as the muse of the soup.
  • Carrots: Deliver refined sweetness and colour to steadiness the savory broth.
  • Celery: Provides traditional fragrant taste and construction to the soup base.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances and layers taste all through the cooking course of.
  • Zucchini: Provides texture and a lightweight, contemporary vegetable word.
  • Inexperienced Beans: Deliver freshness and lightweight crunch.
  • Garlic: Builds daring, savory taste as soon as sautéed with the greens.

Broth & Seasonings

  • Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato taste and deepens the broth.
  • Dried Oregano: Provides a conventional Italian herb taste.
  • Poultry Seasoning: Brings heat and refined complexity to the soup.
  • Black Pepper: Provides light warmth and steadiness.
  • Rooster Broth: Types the wealthy, savory base of the soup (vegetable broth works too).
  • Fireplace-Roasted Tomatoes: Add acidity and a barely smoky tomato taste.
  • Bay Leaves: Infuse the broth with a refined, fragrant depth.

Hearty Add-Ins & Garnishes

  • Kidney Beans: Present heartiness and protein.
  • White Beans: Add creaminess and steadiness to the feel.
  • Pasta or Potato: Makes the soup filling and satisfying.
  • Recent Parsley: Provides freshness and brightness earlier than serving.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Finishes the soup with salty, savory richness.

See the precise measurements within the recipe card beneath.

Potatoes or Pasta? Both Method, Scrumptious

Carrian Cheney

When you choose minestrone with out pasta, potatoes are an straightforward and scrumptious swap. I grew up consuming this soup each methods, relying on what we had available, and actually I find it irresistible simply as a lot with potatoes. They make the soup somewhat heartier and maintain it gluten-free, whereas nonetheless absorbing all that wealthy, flavorful broth.

A cozy bowl of homemade Minestrone soup in a white ceramic bowl, garnished with parsley and surrounded by rustic bread.

The best way to Make Minestrone Soup

It could appear to be an extended listing, however most of those substances are pantry staples. Seize some contemporary produce, and also you’re all set to start out cooking! Belief me: this home made model tastes higher than Olive Backyard’s.

  1. Aromatics: Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil with salt till softened.
  2. Greens: Add zucchini and garlic and cook dinner till aromatic and tender.
  3. Taste Base: Stir in tomato paste and seasonings and cook dinner to deepen taste.
  4. Broth: Add broth, tomatoes, and bay leaves and produce to a boil.
  5. Simmer: Add beans, cut back warmth, and simmer to let flavors develop.
  6. End: Add inexperienced beans and pasta (or potato), cook dinner till tender, then season and serve with parsley and parmesan.

Don’t neglect to pair it along with your favourite bread! Your youngsters (and also you!) will love mopping up each final drop of the scrumptious broth!

Close-up of hearty Italian vegetable and bean soup in a simple white ceramic bowl, showcasing the rich broth and vibrant mix of vegetables.

Storage and Reheating

To Retailer

Let the soup cool to room temperature, then switch to an hermetic container. Refrigerate for as much as 4–5 days.

To Freeze

Portion the soup into freezer-safe containers or luggage. Freeze for as much as 3 months. (If utilizing pasta, contemplate barely undercooking it earlier than freezing so it doesn’t get mushy.)

To Reheat

Heat on the range over medium warmth, stirring sometimes, till heated by. If the soup is just too thick after refrigerating or freezing, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it.

Recipe Tip

For greatest taste, add contemporary parsley and parmesan cheese simply earlier than serving.

Don’t be afraid to dissipate leftover greens! Yellow squash, cauliflower, broccoli, and different veggies will be added together with the zucchini. Spinach, kale, contemporary basil, and different herbs work fantastically, too. Simply add them close to the top of cooking so they only wilt into the soup, bringing each taste and colour.

A steaming bowl of Minestrone soup served in a white ceramic bowl, filled with colorful vegetables, beans, and pasta, and topped with fresh herbs.

Whether or not you’re cooking for household or meal prepping for the week, this home made minestrone soup recipe is ideal. With just some pantry staples, and a few contemporary produce…. It’s filling with out being heavy and works simply as effectively for weeknight dinners because it does for Sunday meals.

Different Soup Recipes Your Household Will LOVE!

Watch This Video to See How It’s Made…

  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion, medium, diced
  • 3 Carrots, massive, peeled and diced
  • 3 Stalks Celery, diced
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1 Zucchini, medium, diced
  • 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 6 Cups Rooster Broth, vegetable broth is ok
  • 1 Can Fireplace Roasted Tomatoes, 14 oz, diced
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 1 Can Kidney Beans, 14.5 oz, drained and rinsed
  • 1 Can White Beans, 14.5 oz, drained and rinsed
  • 1 Cup Inexperienced Beans, chopped
  • Salt and Pepper, to style
  • ¾ Cup Elbow Macaroni, or ditalini, OR 1 massive potato peeled and diced (see word)
  • Recent Parsley, for serving
  • Parmesan Cheese, for serving

Forestall your display from going darkish

  • Warmth olive oil in a pot over medium warmth. Add the onions, carrots and celery, season with salt. Prepare dinner, stirring sometimes till tender.

    3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 Onion, 3 Carrots, 3 Stalks Celery, 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

  • As soon as tender, add the zucchini and garlic, and extra kosher salt. Sauté for 8 minutes extra minutes, stirring sometimes.

    1 Zucchini, 4 Cloves Garlic

  • Add the tomato paste and seasonings and sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes.

    3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste, 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano, 1 teaspoon Poultry Seasoning, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

  • Add within the hen broth, fireplace roasted tomatoes, bay leaves and broth and produce to a boil.

    6 Cups Rooster Broth, 1 Can Fireplace Roasted Tomatoes, 2 Bay Leaves

  • Add the beans and cut back to a simmer and cook dinner uncovered on low for 15-20 minutes.

    1 Can Kidney Beans, 1 Can White Beans

  • Return to a simmer and add the inexperienced beans then cook dinner for an additional 4-5 minutes.

    1 Cup Inexperienced Beans

  • Season with salt and pepper and add the pasta for the final 10-Quarter-hour.

    Salt and Pepper, ¾ Cup Elbow Macaroni

  • Serve with contemporary parsley and parmesan cheese!

    Recent Parsley, Parmesan Cheese

If you wish to use a potato fairly than pasta, the potato ought to be added in step 5 with the inexperienced beans.

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