Tomato Basil Minestrone Soup (Printable)

A comforting bowl of tomato basil broth with fresh vegetables, pasta, and herbs for a warm, hearty dish.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
08 - 1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes
09 - 1 (14-oz) can crushed tomatoes

→ Broth & Flavorings

10 - 4 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
16 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Pasta & Beans

17 - 1 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or elbow macaroni)
18 - 1 (15-oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Finish

19 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
21 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, zucchini, and green beans. Cook for 3 minutes.
03 - Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste. Stir thoroughly and bring to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
05 - Add pasta and cannellini beans. Simmer for an additional 10 to 12 minutes until pasta is tender.
06 - Stir in fresh basil and parsley. Adjust seasoning as necessary.
07 - Serve the soup hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Its a one pot meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but honestly takes under an hour.
  • The broth is silky and layered with flavor, so comforting it feels like a warm hug on difficult days.
  • You can throw in whatever vegetables are hanging around your crisper drawer and it somehow works beautifully.
02 -
  • If you add the basil too early, it turns dark and loses its brightness, so really do wait until the very last moment.
  • The pasta continues cooking in the residual heat after you turn off the stove, so pull it off the heat slightly before you think its done.
  • Taste your vegetable broth before using it, some brands are quite salty and will make your soup too aggressive.
03 -
  • Make a batch when youre already cooking something else, because it requires minimal active attention and you can have comfort food ready for days.
  • This soup freezes beautifully for up to three months, though I usually eat it all within a few days because its hard to resist.
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