Description
This Olive Garden Copycat Minestrone Soup is a hearty, healthy classic loaded with colorful vegetables, beans, pasta, and herbs simmered in a flavorful tomato broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or make-ahead lunches. Vegetarian, freezer-friendly, and family-approved.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 cup green beans, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¾ cup ditalini pasta
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add zucchini, green beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil.
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, partially covered.
7. Stir in kidney beans, cannellini beans, and ditalini pasta. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until pasta is al dente.
8. Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Discard bay leaf before serving.
10. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese.
Notes
For best texture, cook pasta separately if you plan to store leftovers for several days or freeze the soup.
Swap vegetables based on season: squash, cabbage, or bell peppers work beautifully.
If you prefer a thicker broth, mash a few beans before adding them to the soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 10
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: minestrone soup, Olive Garden copycat, vegetarian soup, pasta soup