Name: Easy Garden Fresh Minestrone Soup Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. Ground Beef or Mild Italian Sausage; 1 Onion, small, diced; 2 Celery Stalks, Chopped; 3 Carrots, medium, chopped; 3 Cloves Garlic, chopped; 1 Zucchini, medium, chopped; 1 Cup Green Beans, chopped; 1 Can crushed Tomatoes, 28 oz.; 1 Can Red Kidney Beans 14 oz, drained and rinsed; 4 Cups Vegetable Broth; 1 tsp Italian Seasoning; 1 1/2 Cup Elbow Macaroni, cooked; Salt and Pepper, to taste; 1/2 Cup Kale, fresh, chopped (optional); Fresh Basil; Grated Fresh Parmesan Cheese

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Garden Fresh Minestrone Soup

This garden fresh Minestrone soup is a quick and tasty family dinner for a cold weekday. Simple to prepare, warming and hearty to enjoy. The entire family will love this soup recipe.

Minestrone soup is a classic Italian soup filled with hearty beans; delicious vegetables all bathed in a delicious tomato based broth. A very versatile soup with ancient origins and dozens of variations to meet any dietary guidelines.

It’s so easy to make and super filling. The kids love the pasta, and the moms love the fresh vegetables to pack in the nutrition value. You can enjoy this soup after work or on a lazy weekend.

Minestrone Variations

This soup was originally vegetarian based on the need at the time when meat was scarce. Modern times see a variety of meats easily added to this soup. The traditional addition is ground beef, but some hot Italian sausage gives this dish a nice kick.

We also see a variety of green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, cabbage, and Bok choy added to enhance this soup from time to time. The availability and personal taste dictate what you can add to personalize this soup.

Don’t feel constrained with just Kidney beans either. This soup can be made using white cannelloni beans, lentils, navy beans, pinto beans, or any other kind of beans you have on hand. Of course, you can prepare dried beans instead of using canned as well.

Other additions are items like mushrooms, asparagus, turnips, and beets. You can really add any vegetable you like and have on hand to this recipe. Softer veggies should be added with canned beans and firmer things should go in with the tomatoes and broth to allow for cooking.

Let’s not get started on pasta options! The classic seen in canned soup is small Ditalini, but any pasta will add to this soup nicely. Experiment with some fresh tortellini or ravioli as well. Don’t forget about gluten free or whole wheat pasta options either.

Making Garden Fresh Minestrone Soup

Begin by gathering your chosen ingredients. Make sure to chop all of your vegetables into bite sized pieces that are approximately the same size. This allows for even cooking and even disbursement in the finished dish. My preference is to make the pieces small enough to have 2-3 different veggies in one spoonful.

If you are using meat, go ahead and cook until brown and set aside. Brown the onions, celery and garlic in the drippings and drain. Combine the meat, and browned vegetables together in a large soup pot.

Omitting the meat is just as easy. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil in your soup pot and brown your onions, celery, and garlic there.

Add in your vegetable broth, canned tomatoes and firm vegetables like carrots, turnips, beets, green beans and asparagus. Don’t forget to add your spices here to blend into the broth. Allow to simmer until vegetables are tender.

Finally add in your canned beans, cooked macaroni, and soft vegetables. Zucchini, squash, spinach, kale, and cabbage should go in here. Cook on medium heat until beans and macaroni are warmed, and vegetables are soft.

Serving Ideas for Minestrone Soup

This soup pairs nicely with some toasted garlic bread. Try a variety here as well, make it with cheese or use a classic loaf of French bread. My go to is to toast some sliced sourdough with garlic butter and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese on top.

Garnish this soup with grated Parmesan cheese and sliced fresh basil for some added flavor and freshness. Options are Italian parsley, fresh thyme or rosemary, and chives. Any cheese you have on hand works as well to enhance this soup to the next level.