Description
This Thick & Hearty Minestrone Soup is a deliciously rich, comforting dish full of vibrant vegetables, tender beans, and fresh spinach. With a thick, flavorful broth and hearty ingredients like rice or orzo, it’s perfect for warming up on a chilly day. A classic soup made even better with extra texture and flavor
Ingredients
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup (130g) diced yellow onion
1 cup (120g) sliced or diced carrots
1 cup (120g) sliced or diced celery
1 cup (130g) sliced or diced zucchini
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp dried thyme
6–7 cups (1.5L) vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups (480ml) water
2–3 tsp red wine vinegar
1 bay leaf
1 (15.5-ounce/439g) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15.5-ounce/439g) can butter beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15.5-ounce/439g) can green beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5-ounce/411g) can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 (6-ounce/170g) can tomato paste
1⅓ cups uncooked rice (about 290g) or orzo pasta (240g)
3 cups (120g) fresh spinach, chopped
Optional: Grated parmesan cheese and fresh thyme for serving
Instructions
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In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, and garlic. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook for 6–7 minutes until vegetables soften.
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Add broth, water, red wine vinegar, and bay leaf. Stir in kidney beans, butter beans, green beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil.
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Add rice or orzo, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 35 minutes until rice/pasta is tender.
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Stir in spinach and simmer for another 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
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Serve warm with parmesan and fresh thyme if desired.
Notes
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For a vegan version, omit the parmesan cheese.
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You can use any small pasta in place of orzo.
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For extra richness, drizzle with olive oil before serving.
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This soup freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg