Easy Homemade Minestrone Soup Recipe That Warms The Soul

Crafting a hearty minestrone soup brings comfort to chilly evenings with its rich, vibrant flavors.

Vegetables dance together in a harmonious blend of nutrients and warmth.

Italians have perfected this classic dish through generations of culinary wisdom.

Robust beans and tender pasta create a satisfying meal that hugs your soul.

Aromatic herbs whisper stories of traditional kitchens and love-filled cooking.

Each spoonful promises a journey through rustic countryside and home-cooked memories.

You’ll want to ladle this steaming goodness into bowls and savor every delicious moment.

Why Nigella Minestrone Soup Is So Comforting

• Craft a Hearty Meal: This minestrone soup transforms simple ingredients into a robust, comforting dish packed with vegetables and flavor that feels like a warm hug.
• Customize with Ease: Swap vegetables based on what's in your kitchen, making this recipe incredibly flexible and perfect for using up leftover produce without compromising taste.
• Master One-Pot Cooking: Prepare a complete meal using just a single pot, reducing cleanup time and simplifying the cooking process for busy home chefs.
• Nutritious Family Favorite: Loaded with diverse vegetables, beans, and pasta, this soup delivers a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and provides essential nutrients for all ages.

What You’ll Need For Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Onion: A flavorful base that adds depth and sweetness to the soup.
• Carrot: Provides natural sweetness and vibrant color to the minestrone.
• Celery: Contributes a subtle herbal flavor and aromatic base to the soup.
• Potatoes: Adds heartiness and helps thicken the soup's texture.
• Courgettes: Brings a soft, tender vegetable element to the dish.
• French Beans: Offers a fresh, green component to the soup.
• Cabbage: Provides additional texture and nutritional value.

• Cannellini Beans: Adds protein and creates a creamy, satisfying element to the soup.
• Pasta: Gives the soup substance and makes it more filling.

• Butter, Oil: Creates a rich base for sautéing vegetables.
• Stock: Provides the liquid foundation and depth of flavor for the soup.
• Parmesan Rind, Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, umami flavor and creates complexity.
• Salt, Pepper: Seasons and balances the overall taste of the soup.

Steps To Make Nigella Minestrone Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating butter and oil in a large pot. Gently cook chopped onions until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet, gentle flavor without browning.

Step 2: Layer in Vegetable Goodness

• Celery
• Potatoes
• Courgettes
• French beans

Stir occasionally and cook for a few minutes. Next, introduce shredded cabbage and continue cooking for 6-8 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and meld together.

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

Pour in the stock and add a cheese rind for extra depth of flavor. Season with salt and pepper to your taste preferences.

Step 4: Slow Simmer and Develop Flavors

Cover the pot and let the soup simmer gently for about 2 hours. The liquid should reduce and concentrate the flavors. Add water as needed to ensure enough liquid for the pasta to cook properly.

Step 5: Cook the Beans and Pasta

Remove the lid and add cannellini beans. Cook for 5 minutes. Then introduce pasta and cook according to package instructions.

Step 6: Final Touches and Serve

Remove the Parmesan rind. Sprinkle fresh Parmesan cheese over the soup and give it a good stir. Serve hot with an extra sprinkle of cheese on top.

Tips To Get Nigella Minestrone Soup Just Right

• Boost Flavor Depth: Drop a Parmesan cheese rind into the simmering soup to enhance the overall taste profile with a rich, savory undertone.
• Veggie Prep Technique: Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the minestrone.
• Liquid Balance Trick: Monitor soup's liquid level during long simmering, adding water gradually to prevent burning and maintain desired consistency.
• Pasta Timing Mastery: Add pasta towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect al dente texture.
• Seasonal Adaptation: Swap vegetables based on seasonal availability, keeping the soup's core structure while enjoying fresh, local produce.

Different Takes On Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace cannellini beans with firm tofu cubes and use vegetable stock for a plant-based protein-rich version.
• Gluten-Free Garden: Swap traditional pasta with gluten-free quinoa or rice pasta to make the soup celiac-friendly and equally delicious.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Substitute potatoes and pasta with zucchini noodles and cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining hearty texture.
• Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and swap butter with olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired minestrone with enhanced herbal notes.

Pairing Suggestions For Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Pair with Rustic Tuscan Red Wine: Choose a bold, medium-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the soup's hearty vegetable profile and cuts through its rich, savory flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Herb Focaccia: Select a freshly baked Italian bread with rosemary or thyme to soak up the delicious broth and add a crispy textural contrast to the soft soup ingredients.
• Match with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's warmth and provide a refreshing, zesty counterpoint to the hearty minestrone.
• Complement with Aged Pecorino: Grate additional aged Pecorino Romano cheese over the soup for an extra layer of sharp, salty flavor that enhances the overall taste experience.

How To Keep Nigella Minestrone Soup Fresh

• Transfer cooled minestrone soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a splash of water if the soup seems too thick.

FAQs For Nigella Minestrone Soup

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace the butter with olive oil and use vegetable stock instead of regular stock. Skip the cheese rind if it’s not vegetarian.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

Not automatically. You’ll need to use gluten-free pasta and verify that your stock is gluten-free to make it suitable for gluten-sensitive diners.

• What kind of beans work best in minestrone?

Cannellini beans are traditional, but you can also use great northern beans or kidney beans. Each will provide a slightly different texture and flavor profile.

• How nutritious is minestrone soup?

Extremely nutritious! It’s packed with vegetables, beans, and protein, making it a balanced one-pot meal with multiple nutrients from different ingredients.

Minestrone Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting minestrone soup brings Italian countryside warmth to your kitchen, blending robust vegetables and hearty beans in a rich, aromatic broth. Generous portions promise satisfying nourishment that connects you with traditional Mediterranean culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 3 onions
• 5 carrots
• 2 stalks celery
• 300 grams potatoes
• 3 courgettes
• 100 grams fine green beans
• 225 grams savoy cabbage

Proteins and Beans:

• 400 grams cannellini beans
• 112 liters stock (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
• Rind of Parmesan cheese (optional)

Fats, Cheese, and Pasta:

• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) olive oil
• 40 grams butter
• 150 grams ditalini or chifferi rigati pasta
• 40 grams freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more to serve)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt butter and oil together, then sauté onions until translucent and softened over medium heat, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Successively add carrots, celery, potatoes, courgettes, and French beans, stirring and cooking each vegetable for 2-3 minutes to develop their individual flavors.
3. Incorporate shredded cabbage and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 6-7 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
4. Pour in vegetable stock, add cheese rind, and season with salt and pepper to enhance the soup’s depth of flavor.
5. Cover the pot and simmer gently on low heat for 90-120 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften and broth to reduce, periodically checking liquid levels and adding water if needed.
6. Introduce cannellini beans and cook for 5 minutes, then add pasta and increase heat slightly to ensure proper pasta cooking.
7. Once pasta reaches al dente consistency and vegetables are tender, remove cheese rind and sprinkle fresh Parmesan cheese on top.
8. Give the soup a final stir, ladle into serving bowls, and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Notes

• Vary Vegetable Texture by cutting each vegetable into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and appealing presentation.
• Enhance Flavor Depth by sautéing vegetables slowly, allowing natural sugars to caramelize and develop rich, complex taste profiles.
• Customize Dietary Needs by substituting butter with olive oil for vegan versions or using gluten-free pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Control Soup Consistency by adjusting liquid amounts during simmering, ensuring pasta absorbs stock without becoming too thick or thin.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 252 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 12 mg