Hearty Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Cold winter nights call for a comforting hearty winter minestrone soup that warms you from the inside out.

Packed with robust vegetables, tender beans, and rich broth, this classic Italian soup delivers pure comfort.

Each spoonful bursts with deep, satisfying flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp vegetables mingle with savory herbs, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Chunky ingredients provide substantial nutrition and hearty goodness in every bite.

Perfectly balanced and incredibly nourishing, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Grab a ladle and savor the soul-soothing magic of this delightful winter classic.

What’s Needed For Winter Minestrone Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing and building deep flavor layers.
• Onion: Adds sweet, earthy undertone and creates aromatic base for soup.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent kick and enhances overall savory profile.
• Carrots: Introduces subtle sweetness and vibrant orange color.
• Celery: Contributes light, crisp texture and classic soup foundation.

• Zucchini: Brings gentle, fresh green element and soft texture.
• Sweet Potato: Offers creamy, nutritious sweetness and golden color.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides tangy, bright acidic component and rich liquid base.
• Kale or Swiss Chard: Delivers nutrient-dense, robust green element with slight peppery notes.

• Cannellini Beans: Introduces creamy, protein-packed component with smooth texture.
• Pasta: Adds comforting, filling element and absorbs soup's delicious flavors.
• Broth: Creates liquid foundation and carries complex flavor profile.
• Oregano, Basil, Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Balance and intensify overall taste experience.
• Parmesan: Offers salty, nutty finishing touch.
• Fresh Herbs: Provide bright, fresh garnish.
• Crusty Bread: Serves as perfect accompaniment for dipping and soaking.

Gear List For Winter Minestrone Soup

• Large pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering soup, provides ample space for ingredients.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping onions, garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, and sweet potato with ease.
• Sharp knife: Helps create precise cuts and prepare all vegetables quickly and safely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Ideal for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking during cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
• Ladle: Great for serving soup evenly into bowls with a professional touch.

Steps To Make Winter Minestrone Soup

• Kick Off the Flavor Base

Warm up a large pot with a splash of olive oil and toss in chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery. Let these veggie buddies dance and soften for about 5 minutes, releasing their delicious aromas.

• Build Your Soup's Foundation

Drop in zucchini, sweet potato chunks, juicy diced tomatoes, and fragrant broth. Sprinkle in oregano, basil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a dash of red pepper flakes for some warmth. Bring everything to a rolling boil, then dial down the heat and let the pot simmer gently for 20 minutes until the vegetables become melt-in-your-mouth tender.

• Welcome Hearty Additions

Introduce cannellini beans and pasta to the simmering party. Let them mingle and cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta reaches perfect al dente status.

• Green Up Your Soup

Fold in vibrant kale or Swiss chard, letting them wilt and add a final burst of color and nutrition for 2 quick minutes.

• Create Your Comfort Bowl

Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls. Crown your creation with a sprinkle of Parmesan, scatter some fresh herbs, and serve alongside a crusty slice of bread for the ultimate winter comfort meal.

Winter Minestrone Soup Cooking Suggestions

• Vegetable Prep Hack: Chop all vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Broth Boost: Use homemade or high-quality vegetable broth to enhance the overall depth and richness of the winter minestrone.
• Pasta Perfect: Add pasta near the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente texture.
• Freezer Friendly: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze.
• Dietary Swaps: Replace pasta with quinoa for gluten-free version or add more beans for extra protein in vegetarian diet.

Serving Tips For Winter Minestrone Soup

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a hearty sourdough or crusty Italian bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and add delightful texture to each spoonful.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano on top, allowing the cheese to melt slightly and create a creamy, savory layer.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Garnish with chopped fresh basil, parsley, or oregano to brighten the soup's deep winter flavors and add a pop of fresh green color.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken strips or crispy pancetta on top for meat lovers wanting extra protein and a crunchy element to complement the tender vegetables.

Winter Minestrone Soup Storage Plan

• Fridge Storage Brilliance: Keep leftover soup in airtight containers for 4-5 days, maintaining maximum flavor and freshness without compromising taste.
• Freezer Magic: Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, excluding pasta, for up to 3 months; freeze liquids with 1-inch headspace to prevent expansion damage.
• Smart Reheating Trick: Thaw frozen soup overnight in refrigerator, then warm gently on stovetop, adding splash of broth to restore original consistency and prevent liquid loss.
• Pasta Preservation Hack: Store pasta separately from soup base to prevent noodles from becoming mushy; mix just before serving for perfect texture and optimal eating experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 7

Hearty Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty winter minestrone soup balances rustic Italian flavors with seasonal vegetables and rich broth. Comforting ingredients blend seamlessly, offering warmth and nourishment for cold evenings you’ll savor completely.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (960 mL) vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ½ cup (60 g) small pasta (ditalini or elbow)
• 2 cups kale or Swiss chard, chopped
• 1 small sweet potato, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled & chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 small zucchini, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley
• Crusty bread

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame, introducing diced onions, minced garlic, carrots, and celery. Allow vegetables to soften and release aromatic essences for 5-6 minutes, creating a flavor foundation.
2. Build Soup Structure: Add zucchini, sweet potato, diced tomatoes, broth, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, letting ingredients harmonize and vegetables tenderize for approximately 20 minutes.
3. Incorporate Protein and Pasta: Integrate cannellini beans and pasta, continuing to cook for 8-10 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency. Fold in robust greens like kale or Swiss chard, allowing them to gently wilt into the soup’s rich landscape.
4. Finale and Presentation: Ladle steaming minestrone into serving vessels, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan, delicate herb sprinkles, and serving alongside crusty bread to complete this winter comfort experience.

Notes

• Boost Vegetable Flavor: Thoroughly caramelize vegetables before adding liquids to intensify their natural sweetness and develop a deeper, richer taste profile.
• Customize Pasta Texture: Cook pasta separately and add to individual servings to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente consistency, especially when storing leftovers.
• Enhance Soup Thickness: Use a potato masher or immersion blender to partially crush some vegetables, creating a thicker, more luxurious soup texture without adding extra calories.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute gluten-free pasta for traditional wheat pasta, use vegetable broth for a vegan version, and add protein like shredded chicken or plant-based protein to increase nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 2 mg