Description
Warm, hearty, and loaded with vegetables, this Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup is an easy recipe that works for lunch or dinner ideas any night of the week. This quick homemade soup is packed with beans, pasta, and a rich tomato broth, making it a cozy healthy snack, light dinner, or meal prep favorite when you need comforting food ideas with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup small shell pasta
2 cups fresh spinach
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in the garlic, green beans, and zucchini, and cook for 2 minutes more.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the tomato paste is fully mixed in.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Stir in the kidney beans, cannellini beans, and small shell pasta. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
6. Add the fresh spinach and cook for 2 minutes, just until wilted.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot with grated Parmesan on top if desired.
Notes
Use small pasta shapes so the soup stays balanced and easy to eat.
For thicker soup, let it simmer a few extra minutes before adding the spinach.
If making ahead, store the pasta separately for the best texture when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
Keywords: copycat olive garden minestrone soup, minestrone soup, easy soup recipe, vegetable soup, pasta soup, homemade soup, dinner ideas, easy recipe, food ideas