Skip to main content

Minestrone Soup

This satisfying vegetable soup is full of veggies, beans and pasta.
Cooking for a Crowd

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Kid friendly
Bowl of vegetable and macaroni noodle soup.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Makes: 10 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, diced
1 large carrot, sliced
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large potato, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) chopped tomatoes with juice
2 cans (15 ounces each) low-sodium broth (see Notes)
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon basil
½ cup uncooked macaroni
2 small zucchini, sliced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. In a 5 quart saucepan over medium heat, cook onion, celery and carrot in oil, stirring constantly until onion is soft, but not browned.
  4. Add potato, tomatoes, broth, beans and basil.
  5. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
  6. Add macaroni and zucchini. Simmer for another 15 minutes.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Broth can be made at home, purchased in a can or box, or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
  • Use any vegetables you have on hand.
  • Add cooked meat if desired.
  • Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups drained beans.

Comments

This Minnestrone Soup is a favorite among kids! Whenever I make this yummy recipe, they always ask for more!

Husband and kid approved!  It's great with ground beef too :)

Very easy to make, and another one of those recipes where I usually have all the ingredients lying around.  I make this soup, with the Whole Wheat Quick Bread, and feel like Mom of the Year (within her budget, even!)!

So delicious and so simple! LOVE this recipe!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

No-Yeast Pizza Crust
Pizza dough shown with smeared red sauce and pizza toppings.

No-Yeast Pizza Crust

A quick and easy way to make homemade pizza crust without yeast. Great idea for your next family dinner!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 12-inch crust
Reduced-Fat Chorizo
Bowl of chorizo shown served with a fresh salad.

Reduced-Fat Chorizo

Thanks to the OSU Extension Latin Heritage workgroup for this recipe. Using lower fat meats reduces saturated fat for heart health.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
12 servings
Veggie Stew
Bowl of soup with a medley of vegetables.

Veggie Stew

Quick hearty stew full of veggies, herbs and comforting flavor. Serve as a side or over your favorite whole grain such as polenta or brown rice.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Fiesta Barley Salad
Bowl of mandarin orange and barley salad with a wooden serving fork.

Fiesta Barley Salad

A bright and colorful salad with a combination of grains, veggies and fruit.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
7 cups
Salsa Verde
Bowl of green textured salsa.

Salsa Verde

This delicious green salsa uses tomatillos and green peppers to make a sauce that can be used with a variety of dishes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Not Your Everyday Apples
Bowl of baked apple chunks with raisins and cinnamon.

Not Your Everyday Apples

Apples are baked to perfection with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups