Loaded with tons of tender veggies, beans, and pasta, this hearty minestrone soup is packed full of flavor and also vegetarian-friendly!
This minestrone is bringing us out of thick-and-hearty soup season and throwing us into spring veggie paradise! Soup season is a year-round affair around here.
We’re keeping things veggie-forward and skipping the meat today in this hearty minestrone, but I swear you won’t even miss it. The broth is so incredibly flavorful and every bite is chock-full of tender pasta and vegetables.
Probably goes without saying, but you wanna have a good loaf of bread alongside a pot of this goodness for dipping!
The real selling point about this minestrone is that you can customize it with the type of vegetables you have on hand and there’s really no going wrong! It will turn out cozy and packed full of flavor no matter what.
This Minestrone features…
- A rainbow of vegetables including carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans
- Tender pasta and kidney beans
- A rich, flavorful vegetable broth
- Minutes to make and vegetarian-friendly
Making the Minestrone
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Celery
- Carrot
- Zucchini
- Green beans
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Basil
- Oregano
- Kidney beans
- Vegetable broth
- Pasta
- Spinach
Choosing Your Pasta
We recommend going with a short cut of pasta such as small shells, orzo, ditalini, or elbows. A smaller shape of pasta will cook to the same size as the vegetables making this soup easy to eat.
Tips for Perfect Minestrone
- Cut vegetables in uniform size – we recommend 1/4-inch cubes for the vegetables. Try to get them all the same size so they cook at the same rate.
- Cook pasta directly in soup – no need to pre-cook the pasta, it will only take minutes to cook in the soup.
- Add spinach at end of cooking – we like to add the spinach at the same time as the pasta to prevent it from becoming overcooked.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this soup.
- Try different vegetables – try sweet pepper, summer squash, sweet potato, or mushrooms.
- Add meat – if you’d like a meaty addition, try cooked ham, chicken, or turkey.
- Skip the pasta – omit the pasta for a low-carb minestrone.
- Try a different bean – try adding white beans or chickpeas.
If you’re in a soup rut, THIS minestrone is just the thing to pull you out of it! Everyone loves the tender, hearty vegetables and all that wonderful brothy goodness.
Big bowls only of this one!!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Watch this soup made step-by-step on Google web stories.
More healthy soups to try next!
Vegetarian Minestrone Soup
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup celery, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1 cup carrots, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1/2 lb green beans, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 7 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth if non-vegetarian)
- 1 cup dry pasta (such as small shells, orzo, etc)
- 1 cup firmly-packed baby spinach or kale
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan and bread for serving, optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, and green beans and saute over medium-high heat 3-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Add garlic, tomato paste, basil, and oregano to vegetables and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add kidney beans and vegetable broth to vegetables and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to medium and add pasta and spinach. Allow soup to simmer 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta and vegetables are tender.
- Season soup with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm with grated Parmesan and bread if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe tips and photos on 3/14/24.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Sarah – This is a beautiful and hearty soup. I have been craving soup lately. I think partially because it’s been so freezing this winter. Soups always fill me up and leave me satisfied. Minestrone is one of my favorites. 🙂
Sarah says
It sounds like this soup is right up your alley, Erin! You’ve gotta try it.
Laura says
This soup is fantastic!
Sarah says
Glad to hear you liked it, Laura!
Danielle says
This soup looks amazing, Sarah! You’re totally inspiring me to start cooking with more veggies. I want a bowl of this for breakfast right now 😉
Sarah says
Thanks Danielle! I’ll admit that I’m not against thoughts of this minestrone for breakfast either! 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love the flavors of this soup, Sarah! It looks so hearty and delicious. Such pretty pictures, too! I just want to dive right into a bowl for breakfast! 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! I’m thinking I love the sound of this for breakfast. 😀
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
This looks way better than any minestrone I’ve ever eaten before!
Sarah says
Aww thank you Christin!!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
This soup looks very hearty Sarah. I love when you can take vegetables and create something healthy and delicious without the guilt. I bet it tastes amazing.
Sarah says
Thank you Kathy!! 🙂
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
This is definitely a spring soup. It’s gorgeous, Sarah! I love Mr. Pasta too. 😉
Sarah says
Thank you so much, Jen! And right?! Long live Mr. Pasta! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I love how jam packed with veggies your minestrone soup is. It looks beautiful and so hearty and delicious!! A big bowl of this sounds perfect right now!!!<3
Sarah says
Thanks sweet Kelly! You’re too kind. 🙂
Rachael | Spache the Spatula says
It’s still kinda chilly here in Seattle, so a big bowl of this seems like exactly what I need! I’m loving’ al the veggies!
Sarah says
Awww! I totally wish I could send you a big warm bowl of this soup, Rachael! Stay warm. 😉
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
You are 100% nailing spring time recipes Sarah! This soup is perfect. Even though it’s spring, it’s been so cold here lately. Soup is just what we need. And this is great for meatless monday!
Sarah says
Aaaww thanks so much, girlfriend! I would totally send you a bowl of this soup if I could! 😉
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Yessss. This soup! It’s like minestrone on steroids (and I mean that as a compliment because it’s so gourmet!). Love!
Sarah says
Haha! You are too cute, Michelle. Looooove it! LOL. 😀
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
This REALLY does look like spring in a pot, Sarah! I could scoff down a big bowlful right now, even though I only finished my dinner about an hour ago!
I might (just might) be tempted to make a version of this with sausage in, but I’d also be very happy with the veggie version. Really really like this and pinning lots!
Sarah says
Oooh sausage thrown into the mix sounds absolutely awesome! So gotta try that next time.
Thanks for all the pin love, Helen! You’re the best, girl. xoxo 🙂
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
I’m digging all of those huge chunks of veggies in this minestrone soup, Sarah! What a great hearty soup to enjoy for lunch or dinner!
Sarah says
Thanks Julie!! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
I’m a girl from a cattle ranch, but I have to tell you – this Vegetarian Minestrone Soup looks so hearty and healthy!
Sarah says
That’s a big compliment coming from you if you love beef, Kristi! Thanks so much, girl!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I am minestrone’s #1 fan!! Love love love it…it is totally my go-to soup recipe! Love your version, I’m sure the meat wouldn’t be missed one bit, not with all of those tasty veggies and pasta…looks delicious, Sarah, and gorgeous photos!
Sarah says
It’s my go-to dinner too, Denise! Seriously soooo simple and flavor-loaded. You just can’t beat it on a crazy weeknight! 😉 Thanks for the sweet words and for the photo love, girl!
Joanne says
Well you know I love a good veg meal! The more, the merrier, I say. I want to slurp my way through a HUGE bowl of this.
Sarah says
You are totally the veggie-QUEEN, Joanne so I knew you’d love this! xoxo 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
I adore soups and this one is no exception! Looks absolutely fabulous. I’d be slurping this all day.
Pinned. 🙂
Sarah says
Oh, I totally wanted to slurp this soup all day too. The temptation was definitely there. LOL. Thanks Melanie!