PS: I have plenty of other vegan soup recipes to help warm you up during soup season. Say hello to this veggie-packed, super easy, and extra satisfying Vegan Minestrone Soup. It’s the comfort food you’ve been dreaming about that doesn’t take hours to make. Simply throw the ingredients in a pot and it’s ready to eat in just 30 minutes! I’ve tested minestrone soup recipes before that turned out thin and watery; that’s a big ‘no’ from me. Instead, this one is thick, flavorful, and totally delicious. It’s 1000 times better than the Olive Garden minestrone soup!
Minestrone soup vs. vegetable soup
Minestrone soup is a classic, hearty vegetable soup made with a variety of vegetables, beans, and pasta. It’s essentially the extra filling version of a regular vegetable soup (which omits the beans and pasta) and the perfect “clean the fridge out” meal.
Ingredients needed (with substitutions)
Olive oil – For sauteing the vegetables. Use vegetable broth or water for an oil free soup.Sweet onionGarlicCeleryCarrotsZucchini – Feel free to swap this for yellow squash, white potato, sweet potato, or butternut squash.Tomatoes – Use canned diced tomatoes to keep this soup recipe as easy as possible.Vegetable brothOregano, thyme, and basil – Dried herbs are fine. Feel free to use a pre-mixed Italian seasoning blend to keep things simple.White beans – Cannellini beans, white navy beans, or chickpeas are all great options.Kidney beans – Or replace these with black beans or pinto beans.Green beans – You can use fresh or frozen green beans, or replace them with frozen green peas.Pasta – Keep the pasta small and bite-sized, like ditalini, macaroni, or farfalle. For gluten free minestrone, use your favorite short gluten free pasta instead.Baby spinach – Kale, swiss chard, or collard greens would work well as substitutes.Fresh parsley – For garnish!
How to make vegan minestrone soup
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot, then add the onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and zucchini. Saute until slightly tender. Next, add everything but the spinach to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the soup up to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer (uncovered) until the pasta is cooked. Stir the spinach leaves into the soup and let them wilt. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, then ladle the finished soup into bowls with a sprinkle of vegan parmesan and fresh parsley on top. Serve with a piece of crusty artisan bread or crackers and enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Can you make minestrone soup in the Instant Pot? I haven’t tested this recipe in the Instant Pot, but you could use the Saute function to saute the vegetables, then turn it off and add the rest of the ingredients (except the pasta and spinach). Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. When it’s done, add the pasta and use Saute mode again to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked. Stir in the spinach and you’re done!How long does minestrone soup last? Keep the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. I recommend storing the cooked pasta separately to prevent it from soaking up the liquid and becoming mushy.Can you freeze it? Yes, you can freeze minestrone but the pasta will be mushy when reheated.
Want more hearty soups?
Blustery weather calls for a big bowl of loaded, chunky soup, like:
The Best Lentil SoupVegan Chicken Noodle SoupBlack Bean SoupEasy Vegan Potato SoupVegan Corn Chowder
Recipe inspired by Dinner at the Zoo.
