Authentic Italian Minestrone Soup Recipe

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This hearty, satisfying authentic Italian minestrone soup recipe is what you need on cold days to comfort your soul! This perfect combination never gets old.

I’m excited to present you with the ultimate classic Italian soup of all: the minestrone.

Whenever I make this soup is either when the winter is approaching and I’m still trying to get used to the cold again, so I need a delicious warm bowl of soup OR when I’m having a cold. Grandma’s advice is never wrong!

Here’s a great tip. This classic can be easily tweaked to use the vegetables you have sitting in your fridge. The combination of ingredients I used in my recipe is authentic, but once you learn the directions, just replace them with whatever you have on hand.

This recipe is vegetarian, as no meat is traditionally added, but you can try some bacon, pancetta, sausages or even beef mince, the latter would turn this into a sort of hamburger soup, which is also great, but it’s not minestrone anymore.

What makes minestrone soup?

The essential element of a minestrone soup is the combination of the ingredients. This is a classic Italian soup, and a staple in many Italian homes, the most common ingredients used are vegetables and roots like celery, onions, garlic, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes and cannellini beans. It may or may not include pasta or parmesan cheese.

How do you thicken minestrone soup?

Many people ask how to thicken this soup, the reality is this is not a thick soup, so you don’t need to thicken it up. It cooks for a long time over low heat, which releases the potato starch that will turn the minestrone into a rich soup.

If you want more creaminess, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornflour with 1 tablespoon of water in a bowl, then add to the soup, this will thicken any soup.

What to serve with this dish

We suggest serving minestrone with:

White Italian bread
Bruschettas
Garlic bread

Cooking Time

Cooking: 1 hour
Preparation: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings

6 servings

Equipment

Large Saucepan

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What are the ingredients for a minestrone?

To make a traditional minestrone, that’s what you will need:

2 white medium potatoes, cubed
10 green beans, cubed
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stalk without leaves, chopped
1 carrot, cubed
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 (14oz can) chopped plum tomatoes, or whole
1 (14oz can) cannellini beans, drained
10 spring greens, sliced
1-litre water or unsalted vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil

How to make an Authentic Italian Minestrone Soup Recipe

Bring a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add a tablespoon of olive oil and onions with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes until the onions are softened and transparent.
Add carrots and celery and cook for 3 minutes, then add another tablespoon of olive oil and add garlic and bay leaves. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the tomatoes in 3 parts, stirring the mixture frequently. Add water, potatoes and salt. Turn the heat to high.
As soon it starts boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 minutes, uncovered.
Add the green beans and continue simmering for a further 10 minutes.
Taste and check the consistency, you should have it should be a thick soup.
Finally, add the drained cannellini beans. Cook for 3 minutes, finish with the spring greens and serve.

Storage

Keep the minestrone leftovers in an airtight pot for up to 4 days in the fridge.

You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating on the stove or microwave.

Want more hearty Italian recipes?

Try these out:

The Perfect Beef Braciole

Macaroni Cheese With Spinach And Artichoke

Gnocchi Carbonara

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