Heartwarming Minestrone Soup Recipe: Simple Italian Comfort

Joy of Cooking’s minestrone soup bursts with rustic charm and soul-warming goodness.

This Italian-inspired marvel transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary symphony.

Vibrant seasonal vegetables mingle with tender beans, creating a nutritious masterpiece in one pot.

Aromatic herbs whisper tales of Mediterranean kitchens, infusing each spoonful with rich, comforting flavors.

Hearty and wholesome, this soup transcends mere sustenance, becoming a celebration of simple, nurturing cuisine.

Every ladleful carries the essence of traditional cooking, connecting you to time-honored recipes.

Let this delectable minestrone transport you to a world of pure, delightful comfort.

How to Store and Plan Meals with Minestrone Soup

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover soup in airtight containers, keeping them refrigerated for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and become even more delicious overnight.
• Freeze with Ease: Pack cooled soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, creating a convenient future meal that reheats perfectly.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain texture and prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup seems too thick.
• Portion and Prep: Divide soup into individual serving containers for grab-and-go lunches. Label with date and contents to track freshness. These meal-prep portions make weekday eating a breeze, ensuring you always have a nutritious option ready.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Need for Minestrone Soup

• Sausage: Choose a high-quality, fresh Italian sausage with robust flavor and minimal fat content.
• Chicken Stock: Select organic, low-sodium stock for deeper, cleaner taste profile.

• Carrots, Celery: Pick crisp, bright-colored vegetables with firm texture and no soft spots.
• Kale: Look for deep green leaves without yellowing or wilting edges.
• Garlic: Select firm, tight bulbs with no sprouts or mushy sections.
• Rosemary, Basil, Italian Parsley: Choose fresh herbs with vibrant green color and aromatic scent.

• Diced Tomatoes: Opt for high-quality canned tomatoes with rich, natural sweetness.
• Cannellini or White Beans: Select well-drained, tender beans without blemishes.
• Grated Cheese, Parmesan, Romano: Choose authentic, freshly grated cheese for maximum flavor intensity.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Pick cold-pressed, unrefined oil with rich, peppery undertones.
• Crusty Bread: Select artisan-style bread with golden, crispy exterior.

Kitchen Tools for Making Minestrone Soup

• Large soup pot: Perfect for developing deep, rich flavors and accommodating all ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients without scratching pot surface.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise chopping of vegetables and herbs.
• Cutting board: Clean workspace for preparing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add precise amounts of seasonings.
• Cheese grater: Used for creating fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese topping.
• Ladle: Essential for serving soup evenly into bowls.
• Colander: Optional, useful for draining beans if using canned variety.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Minestrone Soup

• Launch Flavor Explosion

Brown sausage in olive oil over medium heat, breaking it into crispy chunks that will infuse the entire dish with deep, savory goodness.

• Create Vegetable Symphony

Toss carrots, celery, kale, garlic, rosemary, basil, and parsley into the pot. Let them dance and soften, releasing their aromatic magic while creating a robust foundation for the soup.

• Build Hearty Layers

Pour in diced tomatoes, white beans, and chicken stock. Let everything mingle and bubble, developing complex flavors that will warm you from the inside out.

• Transform and Develop

Reduce heat and let the soup simmer gently, allowing ingredients to fuse and intensify. Cover partially to trap the delicious steam and concentrate the robust taste profile.

• Craft the Final Experience

Pull out the rosemary sprig and season with salt and pepper. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan. Serve with crusty bread that’s been slathered with rosemary-infused butter for an ultimate comfort meal.

Expert Tips and Variations for Minestrone Soup

Experiment with different types of sausage like spicy Italian, chorizo, or chicken sausage to change the soup’s flavor profile and heat level.

Replace cannellini beans with great northern beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas for a unique texture and nutritional twist.

Swap kale for spinach, Swiss chard, or arugula to add variety and different nutrient profiles while maintaining the soup’s vibrant green color.

Enhance the protein content by adding cooked shredded chicken, diced pancetta, or crispy bacon crumbles for extra depth and richness.

Serving Ideas for a Hearty Minestrone Soup

• Pair with Rustic Bread: Slice a warm, crusty baguette or sourdough to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and complement the soup's hearty texture.
• Top with Cheese Garnish: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese over each bowl, adding a salty, nutty finish that enhances the soup's depth.
• Create a Herbal Accent: Chop fresh parsley or basil leaves as a vibrant garnish, bringing a burst of brightness and fresh aroma to the warm, comforting dish.
• Add a Side Salad: Toss a light green salad with a simple vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a crisp, refreshing contrast.

Hearty Minestrone Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty minestrone soup celebrates Italian culinary traditions with fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta. Comforting flavors blend perfectly, inviting home cooks to savor each spoonful of this classic Mediterranean dish you’ll want to make again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 10 cups chicken stock
• 4 chicken or pork sausages (jalapeno), casings removed
• 14 oz (396 g) canned diced tomatoes
• 15 ½ oz (440 g) canned cannellini, great northern, or other white beans (rinsed and drained)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• ¾ cup minced celery, including leaves
• 8–12 kale leaves, thick stems removed, chopped (or swiss chard)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ½ cup parmesan or romano rind
• ¼ cup tightly packed fresh basil, chopped
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 2 tsps kosher salt
• ¼ tsp freshly grated pepper
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium flame, crumble sausage, and brown evenly. Introduce minced garlic, rosemary, basil, and Italian parsley, stirring to release their fragrant essence.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Fold in diced carrots, chopped celery, and torn kale leaves, allowing them to soften and intermingle for 10-12 minutes while stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
3. Liquid Integration: Gently incorporate diced tomatoes, white cannellini beans, and rich chicken stock. Elevate heat to medium-high, stirring occasionally and blending the ingredients into a harmonious mixture.
4. Simmering and Flavor Development: Reduce heat to low, partially cover the pot, and let the soup gently simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Seasoning and Finishing Touches: Remove rosemary sprig, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Enhance with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese. Serve alongside crusty rosemary-infused bread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Optimize Sausage Browning: Crumble sausage into small, even pieces to ensure uniform caramelization and rich flavor development throughout the soup.
• Herb Infusion Technique: Crush herbs between your fingers before adding to release maximum essential oils and intensify aromatic qualities.
• Vegetable Layering Strategy: Cut vegetables into consistent sizes to guarantee even cooking and balanced texture in each spoonful.
• Simmering Sweet Spot: Monitor soup during low-heat simmering to prevent over-reduction; stir occasionally to maintain moisture and prevent bottom scorching.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 60mg